
Book J^ l 






INTO THE MS KITS 

OF THE 

PiilNCIPAL NAVAL ACTIONS, 

AND TJie 

UNITED 8TATKS ; 
coiiipaioixG 

AN ArCOLT^JT OS" 

^LL BRITISH 2hf) AMERICAN bliliS Oi- ^VAI^, 
REClPllOCALl.Y CAPTURED />: D DESiilOYED, 

SL\CE THE 18'i» OF JUNE 1312. 

WILLIAM JAMES. 

*'• TftuTH came from above, Fa.i,sehood fiom below." 

Johnson. 

HALIFAX, N. S. 

TRINTED FOn THE AUTHOR, 

BY ANTHONY H, HOLLAND, 

ACAJ9IAN RECORDER OFFISF, 






■^ 



TO THE 



LOYAL INHABITANTS 



OF 



HIS MAJESTY'S 



North-American Provinces 




tats 
aiTMBLE APPEAL TO THEIR UND ERST A NDINaS, 

IS 

MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, 

BY 

The author. 



fi 32 a/Ut Tictories aJJ often 

■— 42 after {add now 

— 43 for opiiiiated r. opinlatife 

7 41 /or iraminentl}' f'. eminently 

24 21 yor oner two 

— 29 /or slightly r. severely 
29 om// note. 

39 33 /or engraved r. engraven 
6i 8 /or sixth r. first 

— 34 for the next r. on monday 
Q5 16 for note (Z)'r. this note 
ihe Hit 1 5 /or ships r. sloops 



[i^nr"^;;^>c^»flwcgaa 



ADVERTISEIMENT. 

Th*^ author regrets that Table 7, in consequence of his inability to 
oiake it so copious as he intended, does not accord exactly with the re- 
ferences made to it in the notes. For vessels which nearly agree ia 
tonnage, however, the same dimensions may answer ; and the last co- 
lumn in the table, refers to pages •fthe wbrkj^whtjre the names of sucb 
vesbels appear. 



PREFACE. 

Our late war with thf United States has p;lvcn birth io an opinion, (e«R° 
iinpd,a«! we would hope, to superficial thinkers and interested foreigners,) 
thiit the British, so long without equals upon the oceanj have at length 
found their superiors. 

A reflecting Kn^lishman docs not pretend to claim for his country,' an 
absolutely indi t'ei.sible title to maritime superiority ; or to limit to his own 
shores, the means by >vhir.h it is to be acquired and sustained. Lon^view- 
cd and cherished, as a chief amo'i::; f he si-cnr't'""^; ol his national bl"ssin»s, 
he may rorsider its foundations as deep and strong, w ithout supposing 
them immu'jble. 

He does not deny, that the descendants f'om Erilons, may possess a por- 
tion of that adaptation to nautical pursuits, which has so remarkably char- 
acterized tVeif^iifeslors ; or that they nay inherit from them, a spirit of 
adv nturc, a capacity for pr^sfessional excellence, and enduri^^g courage in 
daujier. If thty do, nn.'! th- local, as v\f!1 a^ otlu » circnmstaiices of coun- 
try, are equally fuvouralde, no reason can be asbigned,why qualitie'^ wh'ch 
have alrea('y led to such super-eminent influence on the globe, should not 
again, if ably directed, raise their possessors to a correspdnding distinction 
in the scale of nations. 

Wh^t candour mu".t admit as possible, the Americans (surely the host 
judges in this ca;e) hare determined as actually certain, both as to the ■ up- 
posititious facts in their most compreheesive meaning, ai.d the structure 
reared upon them. So that it is only left to us to hop--, that, while their 
high destinies open, and we recede to that secondary station assigned us, 
they may adopt the moderation of their prototype in greatness ; and makq 
the same sober consecration of power to the purposes of self-preservation, 
and uliiversal utility. 

However, as our sagacity does not reach to the political calculation so 
iiodestly proposedby t'eAn.erican visionary in his collection of libels, call- 
« 1 a " History of the War ;"* and as weihink it may also exceed the power 
of his arithmetic, to fix the dates of those everns, we shall, for the present, 
take. the liberty, in conformity with our old pn-judices, to consider our na- 
val reputation as but little affected by the war, in the eyes of dispassionate 
men. And we do not hesitate to aver, that it will be extremely difficult: 
for any combination of force, hereafter to op|j-?5e, succe>;sftil'y, a power of 
such unexampled weight ; 'acquired too, and established, under God, not 
fortuitously, but by the happy and steady appliiatiun of principled, and by 
the assiduous cultivation of very singular, if not peculiar, moral and phy- 
sical advantages. 

It is true, that the frequent recurrence of Jtn event, become so unlikely, as 

■.i'". "1/ 

*'* It woiiUl he a curious question in politiea! arithmetic, to lictennnie, what nnmbtr 
cf American sdips, and tlieir rates, vvjiihl be sntlicieut to destroy the British <Mvy, 
ilakin!^ tlic naval events of ihe late w -.r as a scah h> wliich to cjI tii'ate ; <ind haw lojifl; 
itwould take to provide the neC'^ssaiy nnmlier of vessels, tfikins ilip eiicie»)se cf fhr 
gayy, diuing the war, as aratio.'" Low's Hist. '>i' tiie War, p. '3S0. 



1ft disastrous issue to us, in contests upon the ocean, even up«n iineqiial 
terms, might s^emto indicate a cause of more than a temporary or acciden- 
tal nature ; still it is capable of a much more natural and satisfactory solu- 
tion, than upon the supposition of any weakness or decay in this branch of 
our national polity, or any fatal change of spirit in our seamen. It is pre- 
sumed that solution will be found in the subsequent pages. 

'J'iiat an opinion of this kind should be prevalent in the United States, U 
not surprising. Much less than what has occurred, would have been suffici- 
ent to establish its credit witli the bulk of the Ameiican people; and if the 
liberal and ingenuous among tjieni, be supposed free from their violent and 
unreasonable antipathies, they are not beyond the action of this princi-, 

pie : — A. N.VnONAI- VANITY, WITHOUT PntCEDENT OR EQUAL. 

As for ourselves, if there are any among us, who, without the same col- 
ourable pretences, draw similar inference, it may be confessed, that ap- 
pcarauces were such as might mislead those who are neither weak, nor 
disloyal. Among many sources of error which will be noticed hereafter, 
1 shall at present suggest this ; that Americans alone, of all foreign powers, 
possess the means ol addressing their statements directly to the understand* 
ings of EogUshmea ; — they speak the same language. Availing themselves 
cf their talents for misrepresentation, columns are written on the merits of 
a naval action, often before the event has been received by the British pub- 
lic. Tlieir false, but plausible statements, are readily given by our own 
prints, without note or comment ; and thus impressions are made, which 
are not easily elfaccd. 

In Great-Britain, if a ministerial editor chooses to gloss ©ver a defeat, 
ui' enhance a victory, tiie oppositioii-jiaperj soon set the matter iu its true 
light ; but in the U nited States, the government and opposition-parties, the 
democrats and federalists, however they may disagree on common questions, 
unite in puffing oil the military spirit of their country. The hrst are en- 
gaged in bolstering the disgraces of the army ; the latter, in amplifyingand 
blazoning the exploits of the navy. 

. ...This is highly acceptable to the Governwent,which, if it does not direct, 
encourages these ellorts, in order, by giving a wai-.'t.aiacter t© the peace- 
able republicans, to forward its own particular views. All therefore that 
art can suggest, or credulity itself can bear, is set in motion ; until thepeo- 
ple arol)rought to the conviction thatthey are — "an ii.telligent, active and 
enlightened people, beyond all former example,— born to higher destinies 
than were ever yet opened to any nation,— the career of whose greatness is 
rapid, constant, and almost irresistible ; whose annals, though recent^ 
are ulieady splendid and fil-riouF,"*' 

A\ hether or not the pages of the Sibylh have been opened to these fa- 
vourites of the skies, it is not for me to determine ; but how far their tow- 
ering hopes « an be supported by th«Ir late " naval exploits," will appear 
presently. 'J'o exhibit those "exploits," itrij)ped of American tinsel ; to 
rescue from aspersion, the character of Britons ; and, in defeating the aims 
of an over-weeuiii;; selfishness, to promote the cause of truth, is the object 
of the following sheets. 

•Ainui'.au Pjrlc-fcli«. 



LNTRODUCTION. 



The racfhod of estimaiinpf a sbip of war's force, as sdopted in t*is works 
may r'^qwire somf explanation. ^ 

In the first column of Table 1, and Table 3, is enumerated the guns^ 
mounted. To have stopped here, as the Americans generally do, would 
Iiave b?en a taritacknowledgraent, that a two, and a forty-two-pounder 
gun, were (Equally dtstructive in action. The only reason to be assigned, 
why the Americans publicly support that inconsistent proposition, is, that; 
their ships of Avar commonly carry heavier metal, than our ships, of the 
same, or eren a greater, numerical force. 

The-broadside-weightof metal, as usually estimated, is not always fairly 
stated. For Instance, if a ship mounts one or more shiftinj^, or pivot-guns, 
that can be rsed on either side, to compute only half the round of shot 
thrown by all the guns, would give h^r an advantnge equal to half the united 
calibres of the form«r. This most excellent plan of arming ships, prevjiiU 
very much in the American service. Some of theii^ smaller Tcssals, indeed, 
kave all their gui^s so mounted. 

Our method is, to include among the broadside-guns, all guns which 
trav.^rscon pivots, either in the tops, or upon the deck ; also shifting guns, 
pointed during action through broadside-ports, or so mounted, as to bo 
fired without any. Upon this principle, the boat-sarronade, so frequent 
on board British ship-S, is brought into the broadside-force ; but standing 
bow or stern chacers, being of no use upon the broadside, '^re merely enu- 
merated among the guns-mounted. 

The next column to that containing the broadside-weight of metal, enuT 
merates the men ; that is, every officer, man and boy in theship,'when the 
action commenced ; except prisoners, or persons consideied as such. 

Then follows the tons-burtiien or size of the ship. It is not customary, 
we know, to estimate this as part of a ship's force ; but that a sujjerioiity 
in this respect, gives to a fighting ship considerable advantages, will, w^ 
trust, appear, when it is considered} 

First, that the more large and roomy a ship is upon deck, the easier will 
she fight her guns ; 

Secondly, that the higher, to a certain exteni, her battery is from the 
water, the greater %vill be its etlect upon her adversary ; 

And thirdly, that the thicker the sides of the ship arc, tie less pervious 
they will be to shot ; thereby, not only inspiiing the men with i.nv:reastd 
confidence in the shelter they allord : but, by averting many of tlie casu- 
alties, to which thinner sides would have exposed both hull and crtivv, im- 
jBairing the less, if not virtually augmenting, the pow-erof a shipin actinn. 

It is not asserted, however, that the tonnage, and the fcantlinj^ or thick> 
ness of sides, bear to each other any regular proportion. But whatever dif. 
ference exists in that respect between British and American ships, 'n invai iahl-j 
i^ favour of the latlcr ; of wRlch, as raUay iiistauces vt'iW bo found i» the 



subsequent pages of the work, we shall at present ndtice only one. 5!he 
I'rrbidcnt, l)ii(> Ar.ieiiraii frigiifc, is lu arly 150 tons less, but Lus lop-?i(l,>? 
one iiich.Tiul a halt ihicke'r, than the Vali;i!.i,a British line-of-battlr^hip.* 

As a Very material dittbreuct* prevails between British and American ton- 
Xiag*>, we shall endeavour to explain the manner by which eacJi is cast j 
as lar, at least, as respects the public vessels of the two nations. 

His majesty's ships arem»^asurcd agreeably toan Order of the Navy-Board; 
■whivh directs *' the lengtd of tlie ship to be taken on a straight line on the 
lovv.-rside of the rabbit 'if the keel, from a perpendicular or square at the 
ht 'g'lt of the uppi'r+ d 'ck (and middlr deck of three-decked ships) f?oni 
the fore part of the stein ; then, from tne length between those perpendi- 
culars, subtract 3-3 of the extreme breadth, fcr the rake forward, and '2 ;- 
inches for evtry footthe wing-traii^om is iiiigh aboVe the lower paitof tJis 
Tabbit of the keel, for the rake abaft : — the remainder is the lengtli of iho 
keel tor tonnage. The main-breadth to be taken from the outside plauk 
or thicl.-stult, in the broadf st part of the ship, eithi>r above, on, or below 
the viah'S, deducting from tha said thick-stulf or phi'ik, all that it exceeds 
the thi.kness of the ydank at the bottom, which shall be accounted the 
malti.b <'adlh ; so that the mou' !ia^-bieadth, or breadihof the frame, will 
then be less than the maii.-bre}';lth,so found, the thickness of the plank of 
the. bottom. Then muUipiy the length of keel for toun.ge, by the main- ' 
breadth, so taken, and the product b) the l:alf-brfcadth, and divide the 
whole by y 1 ; the quotient will be the tonnage*" 

TheAmerican method of casting the "■ Governricnt-tounagej" we extract 
from an American publication, called, "V\alsh's Mercantile Arithmetic." 

" If the vessel be double-decked, take the length ther<.of fiora the fore- 
part of the main-stem, to the after part of the stcrn-posf, above ihe upper 
deck ',- the breadth thereof at the broadest part above the main-wiles, half 
of which breadth shall he accounted tlie depth of such vessel, and then de- 
duct from the length, 3-5 of the breadth, multiply the reraaiuder by the 
breadth, and the prcduct by the depth, and divide this last product by 95, 
the quotient will be the tonnage ; and if such ship or vessel be single- 
decked, take the length and breadth, as above directed, deduct from the 
length, as before, and' take the depth from the under side of the deck-plank, 
to the ce ling in tlie hold, then multiply and divide as aforesaid, and the 
quotient shall be deem.Hl (he tonnage." 

Where more than two ships are engaged, should the numbers be unequal 
especially, the rule of applying the tonnage, in the manner submitted by 
us, fails altogether. Three or four cases of this kind occur among the ac- 
tions ; but we have concluded to retain the arrangement as it stands i^ the 
tables ; and point out the. distinction uiider the respective notes. 

Although, in discussing the merits of one or two of their naval actions 
with UK, the Am-ricius have reluctantly advanced, from the number, to the 
calibre, of the guns on each side ; neither men, nor size of ships, have iu 
general, been sv;fiiciently attractive to lead them further. 

Snppo-jf (wo ships, t>{pial iu metal and size, to engage ;, one to have full 
rrews for all the^uns upon lier bitiadside, marines fn- her gang-ways ancJ 
tops, seam'en 'Miough left, to trim sails, repair running-rigging, stop shot"- 
holes; in short, men for(!very poiiiioic service in the ship : the other, t« . 

*.'*re below p. 9.\ 10», 101. fBIain. 



LI 



INTRODUCTON. 3 

have men for two thii(]«; of her ajuns only, scarce any for marine?, an<l so 
few for working tlio eIiij), tint ihe can neither rike, nor avoid being ra-- 
kcfK Would this 1)P a-i !q:ril makh ? 

Yet, to be stricfly fair, every gun that cannot be manned, should be con- 
(lered as a useless lump ct iron, and (iirown out r.f the p^tin^ate. Not an 
Ameiican privateer-cnpfaii', but knoM,':, as wcU as jMr. Clark, liow to ap. 
preeiatc this ; and puldishes the guns only of the vrssels he cai)tures. A. 
k.ehooner often guns, may capture, in succession, six or eight'mr r-hantr 
ships, of twelve guns each ; every one of which will be pronounced /r//mV 
to her'^elf ; yet (he united crews of ail, shall not out-number the single ere\v 
of the privateer. 

When two ships gf( a! card of each other, what sigrufici equality in guns? 
She that is most numerously manned, will ir.variablv -arrv hor opponent; 
uidess indeed, that superloiity is counter-balanced by a deficiercy in per- 
sonal valour. Our packets, transports, and armed merchantmen, have fre- 
quently established this fact; as many a disappointed privateers-man can 
testify. 

Upon the whole, we subr.ilt the aggregate of the broadside-weight of me-, 
tal, men. and tonnage, 1o he a fair and impartial estimate of the acliml farce 
of t!ie difierent ships ;. liahlr, at the same ti;ne, to such qualiiicat!ous''and 
exceptions as are stated in the notes. 

To <:^Qw;i>\ a more correct idea of the disparity in size between the ships 
i\vM\ the tonnage alone n.igiit allord, the principal uimensions of (lie hull 
and larger spars of several have been added. 

'Phe Americans may say, we ought to incliuh- among our cnptured na- 
tioiial ships, Kings' 1 ack(:ts. It is true.theyan-goTernnicnt-anBed vessels 




ble their own. 

Three or fo'ir rf->tTii:e-sehooners and cniters will be found in Table ^, 
Most of them were (apt ered crj/Z^ir;;- ; and had sent in prizes : thus be 
coming, in every senre of the term, jjid^l.ic vessels of war. 

With a nation w'nose marine consists chieily of privateers, they, it niav 
be said, should also be iii( lud^d among our cnjiturcs ; espcrialiy, usthe foe: 
smili national vessels tahen from us by privateers, have been inclndeda- 
mong our losses. ^Vn liavehad so very fev-^ ves-^ipls of that description, ei- 
fiser fitted out, or eajitured, that thebaiance would be greatly in our fjvcur. 
Another motive r.nglit operate. American privateers l:ave nevejt", rxcent 
M hen treachery has favoured them, captured British vcs-^els of more than, 
lialf their own force ; and have often run aw ly from.and been captured by 
British vessels decidedly inferior. 

As to American privateers, Ave shall only st'.te, that, by a, list laid before 
I'arliament in February ISlf?, (many returns from foreign itations still un-. 
received,) the number taken since th • dcclara'aoa of war, arnount-d to I'l^ 
♦NT rryiiig 1 !).),') gar.s aad H&7 I men. 



ou-f 





OU"f 



NOTES'. 
(A) 
ALERT and ESSEX. 

'rO attack a ship of so for niiclable appearance as the Essex ; ani 
upon discoveriig her real force, still resolutely to maintain the 
coni!)at ; until seven feet water in the hold,and other serious inj^iy^ 
couipelled the Alert to surrender, displayed a laudable zeal iii Cajit. 
T. ]j. P. Laugharne, his officers and sbip's-company. 

Having- first, in the character of a cartel, landed the prisoners at 
Saint John Nev»fbundlaud, His Majesty's late ship Alert arrived 
at New-York. For eight years, she had been a cruizcr in tlie ser- 
vice of Great-Britain ; but she was deemed no acquisition to that 
of the United States, except as a block-ship, cr iransport. 

The editor of the " Naval History" artfully qualifies his account 
of tlie capture of " the British sloop of Avar Alert of 20 guns," by- 
calling herjn a subsequent page, " ship Alert,guns mounted 26 j"* 
although she had not even a swivel beyond her twenty. 

How extremely fastidious Mr. Clark is, as to what he introduces 
into his "very interesting collection of facts and documents,"! will 
best appear by the following extract : 

" On the 50th of August, the Essex being in lat 36 N. long, 62 W. 
a British frigate was discovered standing towards her under a press 
of sail. Porter stood for her under easy sail, with his ship prepared 
for action ; and, apprehensive that she might not fiiid the Essex 
during the night, he hoisted a light. At nine the British vessel 
made a signal. It consisted of two flashes and a blue light — she 
was then apparently about four miles distant — Porter stood for the 
point where she was seen, until midnight, when perceiving nothing 
of her, he concluded it would be best to heave-too for her until 
morning, concluding she had done the same. But to his great sur- 
prise, and the mortification of his officers and crew, she was no long- 
er in sight. Captain Porter thought it to bo not unlikely, that this 
vessel was the Acasta of 50 guns, sent out, accompanied by the 
Ringdove of 22, to cruize for the Essex. "J: 

Tlie editor recounts a f;econd vain attempt of Captain Porter, dur- 
ing the Essex's first cruize, to bring a British squadron to action. 
The same eagerness for ba'tle, and the sasne surprize and morti- 
tication as before, occurred here; but the names of the.-*e British 
run-a-ways do n<jt appear.- 

. 8oon after the declaration of war by America, it was confidently 
as-ertedj tliat (.'apt. Porter had iliu'ieda Briii.^h seaman for refiis- 
in;j- to serve ^gaiiiai hii country. The fcliouir.g ;itatement, taken 

'Vu!. 'J. p. -ii,. ♦ Air. Portt Tulie. tN.TI. v{>j.l.i> ?•-.#: 



6 

from a Xcw-York papor of June tlic 27(!i ISIG^ will lend to clear 
uny roinainiiig- doubts on thi' subject. 

•"• The deposition states, that John Ei'vina: was born in Xew- 
Castle-upon-'ryne, lJ!!ni;land; that he has resided within the I'nited 
States since IhOW, and has never been naturalized ; tliat oi.: ll;e lith 
of October ISII, he entered on board the^Cs^ex. and joinou her at 
ZS'orfolk ; that Captain Porter oil the L*Jth of J une 18I'J, caused all 
Iiands to be piped on deck, to take the oalh of allegiance to the 
United States, aud gave them to understand, that any man who did 
not choose to do so should be discharged ; that A\hen deponent 
heard his name called, he told the captain, that being a IJritish 
subject, he must refuse taking the oath ; on which the captain spoke 
to the pettv-olllcers, and told them they must pass sentence upon 
him ; tjiat (hey then put hnn into the p< lij launch Avhich lay along- 
side the frigate, and there poured a bucket of tar over liiin, and 
then laid on a c^uantity of featlicrs, having fa>:t stripped him naked 
from the wai=;t ; that they then rowed Iiini ashore, stern fojcinost, 
and landed him. That he wandered about fronj street to street, in 
fhis condition, until Mr Ford took him iijto liisshop, to save hini 
from the crtiwd then beginning to gather; lliat he ?«laid tiiero uii- 
lil ths police magistrate took him aw'av, and \)ut him in tiso city- 
psiso.i for protection ; where he u as cleansed and clothtjd. None 
C'fthe citizens molested or insulted him. lie says he had a protec- 
tion which he bought of a man in Saiem, of the same name asul de- 
fccription witii himfcolf, fur four fhillings and sixpence, nhiclihegot 
renewed at the custatr.-lionse, Norfolk. lie says lie ga\e a.-^ an ad- 
ditional reason to the captain, why he did uotchoose to 'ight against 
his country, that if he should be taken prisoner, he would certainlv 
be hung. 



M 



CT5.) 
(iUERRIEIlE and CONSTITUTION. 

A succession of naval victories, too easily obtained, liad Diiidc ii-r. opiiiia- 
d. liiatU'.utioii to (\i\iy cn-j)! in, and ^>ooii spread iU tcipid iullut'iu'e 
throughout tljo navy ill general. Tlie situation ol'guiuu r on boaid our 
ships btcanie almosta siuccure. A twenty year's war ^^;l^;, of itself, suf- 
ficient fo wear out the strength of our scariieii ; but a laxiiy of discipliiu; 
in all the csseiili:ilh of a niali-of-\\al■'^-mal). r)roduf\.d;i niuch mure .sensible 
eftect. 

Instead of tlie sturdy ocrupation of handling tlie ship's guns, the nioii 

were tau;^lit to humisli up llit- travorsing-bais, canonade-scrc ws, and ev.>ry 

othur article sasicptiblr of polish upon tJie tiuarter-detk. Thu.^e of the 

crew that escaped ti'iis f-jotuiau's occupation, (expressly forbidden by an 

order of the board of Adi>iiialty, ) vveru- set to reeling and un-rcefuig the 

top-sails, bv I jtop-uatchj for the aiuuion'Mt ofthocuptaiii aad bi; •';;fn;;!s. 



A bliow (if fcicc hcii'j; ixciiiiitd. I:i oriU i' (o !.> i jj ia (.•l.i.vk i\.j L\\ distaihci 
ofl^uropp, .sliij)s 'vvcre contracted fur, aiul liu-.tily built lii-, withxtut any 
regard (o bcaiurmg or i,treiii;(h of bulwaik; then, I. .idly llittd-out, and 
manned, alno^t: uiioUy, uith au inipic^jscd crew of liiw hands and small 
l)oy^, sent foi t li to as.,t;tt the ri^^lit:-, and nialiitr.in Ihc cl.ariulcr of JJiitoiis 
upon t\w ocean 1 — Our r.iay at this time, amounted to no leb.^ than seven 
luuidr.»d and iiftv .shi[J.;, in etiiiunission ; liul llu: total of the men they tn;- 
plo\ ed, lit for senire, would bafely nian iialf tin- niinil;(r. 

S\ hile contempt for all her marilime foes was tlius enervating tlie na\al 
|)o-.\er of Great-liii'iainj an opposite iuipuhe was working- a salutary eficct 
upon that of America. Vv hih; we retrograded, sheau\anced,\ntii ste|)s al- 
most Hi. rapid. The sliips of tiio United States were constructed upon the 
most approved prir.ciples, both for sailing and for war. Ju.itJy co^i^idc!iilg 
that the r:i:i'.parts of a battery, w iicther alloator ashore, should have for one 
; l)ject, tlie slielter of lire men stationed at it. the Americans built up the sides 
« f their ships in (he most compact maimer. Every other essential iu the e- 
quipment of a ship of war, Mas minutely attendui to ; and llie ral^s of the 
rhips were fivi d, so as best to conceal (lit ir force fions ther(;tt of the world- 

With respect to seaiiieUjtliey liad fur Ihree v,r Ibiir years previous 
to the >var, been decoying our nieii, hy tlje viiost artt'ui striilu^enis. 
T!ic bc\>t oftiiCse were j)rutiioled to petty-ofiicers ; usid, no doi;!;t, 
\v!ica the war coiiuneiiced, more thaa half the beamen in the 
A rneritan scrvice,nere naiivcs of the United Kin<;doa5 ; and a i^reat 
'proportion of tiic remainder, uieu who had been taught to brave 
danr.or in every shape, !)v fighting- iii her iicets. 

IIi"hlv to the credit oi'tiie naval adiriinistralioii of t'le Uiiited 
States, the n^en were taught the practical rates ot -gtituiery ; and 
• ion shot, with the necessary powder, were allowed to be expended 
in play, to n-.ake one hit in earnest. 

Then, the American marines deserve a distinct consideration. In 
tlje United States, every ujan may liunt or shoot aasor^n' the wild 
aiiimals of the fore.->t. The joiiiif^- bacKwcods-u.ai! carries a ii/-i ■, 
the momesit he can lift one to his shoulder ; arid woe to the duck 
or deer that attempts to pass liim at a hundred and hiiy yards. To 
collect, and i;ive the //,'//i7<, to these expert marksmen, a maritie- 
barrack is established near the city of Washington : from whicli the 
ships are regularly sapj)lied, when ready for tea. A deserter from 
the (iritish would here be no acquisition. 

Thus situated were the ships of the two nations, when the ill-fa- 
ted Gaorriere, w itli sprunj;- bowsprit, a {limitjislied conipleinenl.and 
i:!unia,enl!v \vantiug thil thorough ren-t for wl'.ich she was then 
speeding to Halifax, encnuniered the American ship Con^1i(uti•;in ; 
manned with picked teamen, and e(iuij)[)ed in e.ery point, as a 
fighting ship shoiild he. 

The Constitution came down bi^'ior..' the w iiici : t'le (hierricio 
bac'-.edher main-lujj-suil, and awaited the a(t;-en. 

The llritish ar.d A uieiicaui 'accounts uiiUM- o\ -one hour as lo l!ic 
period at which theaciicricomuienced. By di\i-ii!ij^ the intei\al. 
we fi.\ it id leii minutes beioVe fn e I*. M. 



^ 1 

It is npfrped, that the Guerriere bepjan firing several minutes be- 
fore tho (yonstitulion ; and the American account addy, " without 
effect, her ^liot falling riliort." 

According- to (/uptain f lull's letter, it was fxCiy five minutes past 
five, before he ''f»ot fairly alonj^side." So that for one hour and 
five minutes, the Constitution's broadside of seventeen long twenty- 
fDurs was directed against the Guerriere ; out of range of whose 
eighteen-poundersj the former was enabled to keep, by having the 
weather-gage. 

At about ten minutes past six, the Guerriere's mizen-mast fell 
inver the starboard side, bringing the ship up in the wind against her 
helm. This exposed her to a heavy raking iire : while the grape- 
fehot,and the riflemen in the Constitutioi.'s tops, were sweeping her 
ijp per- deck. 

At hven<y five n.inutes pn^t six, the Guerriere fell on board the 
enemy, willi her bowsprit foul of liismrzen rigging. The boarders 
\rere called ; but (he sea ran too high to make the attempt. The 
ships then got clear. A few of the how-guns^ were nov/ brought to 
))ear, and the cneniv's cabin caught fire; but soon afterwards the 
Cxuerriere's fore and maiu-mnsts went over the starboard side,com- 
pleatly disabling the guns, and leaving the ship an unmanageable 
wreck. This was at thirty minutes past six ; when the firing on 
bi.th siJes ceased. '-Tiic C'onstitution," says theAmerican account, 
" then set fore-sail and main'-ail, and hauled to tlie eastward to re- 
pair damages ; all our braces, and much of our standing and run- 
ning rigging, and so.ne of our spars, being shot awav." 

At Coity (i\e m.iiuites past rix, the Constitution liaving again pla- 
'^I'd herseis in a raking position on the Guerriere's bow ; and Capt. 
Dacies and his few remaining oiticers justh' considering, that any 
iurther re-i-tance would bs a needless waste of lives, the jack Avas 
lowered from fiie .stijnvp (f the mii^cn-mast. 

" At seven," says the Constitiiiion's log, '• W'ore ship, and stood 
Under the lee oi' the prize ; sent our boat on board, which returned 
Jit eight, v.ith Capt. Dacres, late of n.ll!\f. ship (juerriere, mount- 
ing 49 carriage-guns, and manned witli 502 men." 

The (jiuerriere's n:izeii-n".;!^t fell wholly by the enemy's shot. 
The fall of the fore-mast, however, was partly attributable to a 
|<revious lo^s of rigging, to the rotten condition ©f the few remain- 
ing shrcmds, and U) tlu^ spiling state of the bowsprit ; assisted also 
hy (hi- h^avy sea that was running. The main-mast received no 
injury whatever by shot. It fell a1(U)g with the foremast ; and 
Was discovered to iic perfectly hollow and rotten in the centre, where 
it brokf otV. 1 his mast had been struck by lightning at the head, 
Sf'xerril months pies ioui ; but no tuperllciul marks ol'^laiiiage were 
then sisibie. 

Ill hi'r hull. tlif> Guoriiore was much injured. She had hccn a French 
■ hi|> ; .111(1 -io slight vv:is iier scan'.iii'.^';, tliat si-.vcinil uwu shilioiird upon the 
*i>i>.-J.i.k. vtciiLilioi] b'- ■■:;r.>c-ilic.t Vt l.lrh had i ass,;i'. tLrju'jh her bid*-: 



i 



tfliilc her rouiidshot were to be seen sticking in t'oR side of the Sonstitution. 

IJesIdcs the guns disabled by the Jail of tho ma.~,t3 and the enemy's fire, 
the breechings of several parted from sheer rottenness ; and there was no 
lope left in the ship, Avhereo ith to renew them. 

The utmost efforts of the Americans could not save the Guprriere. At 
3 o'clock p. M. on the following day, she was set fire to ; and at a quarter 
past, blew up : an irrefragable proof, that she had bcen bravely defended. 

TheGuerriere's loss of men in tlie action was, her second licuteiianfj 
(two only oa board,) and fourteen seamen and marines, killad : her com- 
loauder, maiiter, two master's mates, and twenty-eight seamen and marines, 
seyercly, and her first lieutenant, tvvo midshipmen, and twenty-eight sea- 
men and marines, slightly wounded : total killed and wounded 78. About 
six of her badly wounded died afterwards. 

TheConstitution's loss in the action was, a lieutenant of marines and six 
men killed ; a lieutenant and six men severely, and the master and seven 
pien slightly wounded : total killed and wounded 22. Sercrtil underwent 
amputation; and two or three died after the action. The American a(> 
tount notices the severely wounded only ; Avhile, every man wounded in 
our seriice, however slightly, being entitled tc, what is called, smart money j 
none are left out in the returns. 

The Guerriere's armament consisted of thirty long cigateens upon the 
main-deck, one twelve, and sixteen thirty-two pounder, carronades, and 
two long nines, upon the quarter-deck and fore-castle : total 49.* li»t two 
of her eighteen-pounders were of no use to her upon the broadside, ^-^p 
most French-bnilt ships, she sailed very much by the head. To assist m 
giving her that trim ; and to obviate tlie inconvenience, whenever a chace- 
gun was to be fired, of a round-house which intervened between the fore- 
most and bridle-ports, and prevented the fore-most gun from being, as usual, 
run oat forward, the two eighteen-pounders found in the Guerriere's brid- 
le-ports, were taken on board at Halifax. Ker twelvc-pounder-carronade, 
fitted upon an elevating carriage, remained to the last with its fust load in, 
owing to the priming-iron being too large. The Guerriercj too, was esteem- 
ed one of oar eraci frigates ! 

Of mea and boys, the Guerriere had originally belonging- to her, 
302 ; but Lieut. Fuhlman, a lieutenant of marines, three midship- 
men, and thirty three seamen and marines, were absent from the 
ship in prizes. So that on the day of the action, she victualled,ex- 
elusiveoffour or five women and some prisoners, 26L Of these, 
seven were Americans, who had been in the ship some years. Capt. 
Dacres, with a proper sense of their situation, gave orders that they 
should go below. One only v/ho was forward, and did not hear 
the word pass, remained at his station ; the rest retired, and were 
not in the action. This left at quarters 2,'j8; oi' which, 7iiiiet€C}i 
were boys. The account here given, is taken from the purser's ste\y- 
ard ; who served out the rations of the ship. 

The Guerriere had 200 as good men,as perhaps could be selected 
from many of our line-of-battJe ships. She was, in this respect, an 
.exception to ships of her class. E\ery art Avas practised to sedue» 

'■Wkc« Captain Skene had her, she mounted two adiiilional brass twelves. 



10 

!:or ^••^^Y frr m i'loir nllcginnco. ?i>;tern or fightcci ortliciu were 
l<Vreii;;nor>', niKl poisons uho jjnd licen pvcsscd in Ihrir -vray out to 
llie Si:)trs. Tlu'-f-ronirijird in AniPnVa ; lusd s-tmig of t^acni rn:i>{- 
oil c 11 Ix'jird tlic Cri'stitiition. Most ot (Ijp crow, lio^vcx er. rcfnrs - 
<'(i lo ll;ilirn.x : nnd nhont twoiity five pushed Jn(o tlio Shannon : 
\\hc!P tliev Ibimd anij)le rcliof for their wounded prido, in tiie ic;ul> 
s-.(?f)Hf'i)t acliievonient of tl:;)t ship. 

'J lie Constitution's nrmainrnt roiisistoc! of (liiity lon^ tv.ciiiy-i'ouis upcn 
1h«' inain-dock, twpiity t-Ao thirty-two poiiiuliM- oiirroii^dos, and two lorg 
t !')i;gli'li) t''c«;htcons, bored to o;<rry a tMCiily-fnur pouudrr shot, upon the 
(jiiaitCT-doclvand forerastlo. 'I'hest- U\n Ion;; ^uns wore shiftiiii^, nnd both 
foi!{j!it iipontlio lucadside ; one thrnii^ii the gang-way port ; tiie other, a 
port upon the fore-castlo. She had ports all along tho gang-Mays, similar 
to our razees and now fiftios, but tln-y wore filled np with haoiinocks. 

Captain Dacres, in hi^^ letter, sa\stlie ConstitiUion niovp.iiod t^vo mor«? 
oarronades ; but of several individuals who ropeatt-dly oountod hor giins, all 
ccivcor in stating fli^ni precisely asgiv(M» abov;.^. With the addition ofaii 
fiovating carronado, it will be s^:(:\^, s!ie mounted llio same in lior ftttion 
v.ith tlto Java. 

Although slio mounts no guns in her tops, similar to tlio other Amorican 
fort\ -fours, a dolihorate oontrivanc? for deslruetion was resorted to ; of 
which many wen- the vi':tir;i5, on board the Ciionit^ro. Seven men were sta- 
tioned in er.eh ti^p : six of Vyhom were emp!o}c'd in loading for him that 
vva% thobest maiksman. 

On loavitig Uoston, seventeen days previous to (lie action, the Confititu- 
tlon had ai)cut 470 in crow ; but, having recaptured, and manned in. a 
jiri/e to tlie Avenger sloop of war, she victualled on the morning of the 
«rtion, ex-^hii^ivc^ of prisoner?, -1GK. Among tliese, there was scarcely one 
that would rate as a lioy on lioard onrsliips, 

'J'he American oiiicial account cf this acfian is a novel producti oil ; i":et 
sw miuh fcr itb incor.sister.cif s, as for its omitting to give tliC force, either in 
guns or men, of the captured frigate., 

The first mention of the Cuerrierc's ramc by Captain Hull is in tlie 
follow ing paragraph of his letter : 

" Alter inforniingyou that so fine a ship r.sth.e Cuorriere, commanded 
by an able and oriporienccd ofTicer, liad been tctally dismasted, and othcr- 
Avise cutto pieces, in the short space (;f thirty minutes, you can have no 
doubt nf th? gallantrv, SccJ" — W'Jiat longnogo would Cai)**ain Jlull have 
n<cd, Iiad ho succccdad in capiurieg a ship cf his own force ;— -nay, one 
even greatly his superior ? His cool and refiecting mind had taught h'm, 
that in b'r.ving rll'tc inference, his victory would be magnilicd ten-Aid 
by his enraptured countrymen. 

How artftillv ho dates the ccmmonormont of the action from the j^ofiod 
only, .•'.t which ho "got fairly alongside." Were bis seventeen long twen- 
ty-fours of no use to him. forone hour, at least, before ho ventured to np-. 
pronch his T^attored op])Oiu.iit r AVIm' »l;d he not boar down sooner:^ — !»« 
had the woather-gago ? 

Snj^pisotwo ships to meet at sea, of (Ito same rcmf ileal force, one arm- 
fd with long guns, (lie ofjier with cavronades, or with. long g'-Ui.s of a. light- 
er rnlibic;.. . Let the former, witli orwlfjionl a fli.;hf .superiorlly in sailinj, 
Itavo the weath'-r-gnge. The moment lie gets his odrersary under thf; or; n- 



u 

mand ofhis battery, he be.^iiii? firin,'5- ; and, it' he is a j^ooJ rnarks- 
;iKin. will, in lialt'oii hour, reduce her to the same |>lij<ht in vvhicli 
the Cjiierrif-re was. Seeiajv her iiiasts; tottering", heri»;uns disabled, 
ai;d her hull shattered, he valiantly bears down, aad gets " fairly 
aloni;si(ie." In live minutes, all three tnasts tall over her side ; 
am! in live minutes more, she strii\es. ilas not the conqueror as 
'^ood a ri'ifht to boast of having; " totally disaia^ted and otherwise 
rut to pieces" his opponent in len niinnte?, as Captain Hull to say 
tlic same of the (jiierrierc in thirty ? 

Although the editor oft!ie *' Naval History" had probably layini>' 
on his table, the published extract of ihe Coiistitution's log, where- 
in it is stated, that her Hre commenced '• at twenty minutes past 
five," and ended - at tliirty minutes past six," this •' zealous con- 
tributor to national character" "has not scrupled to assert, that the 
Guerriere i^truck hercoioursia ''ihirty minutes atler theccmjaeiice- 
uient ot' the action. "t 

Amonji- (nany hundred idcr.l representations of Captain Hull's 
■'• line ship Gurrriere," lew exceed iu brilliancy that contcinod in it 
rc-olution of -' the Seuute and Houae of Keprci^cntativcs of the 
United State 



]> 



The object u'as,to make a present to Capt. Hull, his oflicersand 
crew, for, in a ship '- of 14 «^uns, attacking-, vanqnishinof, and cap- 
turin;>- the iiriti^h frij^aU: (luerriere, mounting ol- j;uns " 

The Americans had reason indeed, to rejoice at the capture of a 
Jlritish frigate. On several accounts, no frigate in the rervice 
could have been a ujore desirable trophy, than the one they did 
Jake, Our vanily waiUed a citeck ; and tliat ciicck it received in 
the loss of the Guerricro. Yet, poig;nant as vverc our foeli»fjs, it 
soon became evident, that the iOih oi' August 1S12, viould prove v 
dav of renovation to the navy of Great-Britain. 

Through such a massofsliips, however, the progress of amend- 
ment would necessarily be slow. A real scarcity of seamen retard- 
tnl the operation ; and unfortunately, iiie ships that were the leas? 
interested in preparations to meet the Americans, luul ihefiritpick 
of ihe men, Wiien, therefore, Peace v/as concluded with rhe United 
States, not more than half our frigates had improved, either in man. 
gunnery, or appointments ; and as to our eixhieen-^^uii brigs, il 
would require anothei three year's war, to lender »h-^:n aseilicient, 
as their implied i'orce, the characters of their olliuxTs, and diei live. 
of the asen, im}torious.lr demanded. 

The-old fushiouijd plan of closing- with our cpponent io bsUle, 
aaueciaily in iieet-aciion-, rendered almoji nugatory thr ganner',* 
art. Three or foui round shei were raiiimed ivAo the gun , fU^ 
carriage laid square to the ship's side : and, as soon as her broad- 
side cams paraiiel to her adversary's and almost touoJie J it, the <'i?- 
charge took place. Drcaafal v/is the eSeot 1 Her; ih';j u:astef inav 
:3e said to have pointed the ^uns. 

Movyniany g'unners In the Aiavykaov/, even iiov.', lh-y>. ii; th* ci"*f 

''X. li. 7oi. 1.0. ' i-!-.--.C ■»->". 



12 



Xvherc a sin<>le round sliot, with one fourth povviler, and fired at uu 
elevation of two do«i:ccs,wili ran^ie 10,^0 vards, two shot, with the 
iianje proportion of powder and degrees of elevation, will range only 
.050? Or, that a difference of 5 dei»:roe-5 in the elevation, makes a 
difference of nearly a thonsand yards in the range of a shot ? All 
thiri respects ranj^e only ; — how njiicli better tauoht are the vnajority 
of our seamen, as to hittinoan object, at even a moderate distance ? 

The Constitution was built at jjoston in I7§7 — 8; and cost, as 
we are informed by tlie American '• Naval History,*' 30^2,'t IS dol- 
lars. 84 cents, or^C8,llI. 14s. sterlin::^, nearly a> much us a Brit- 
ish 74. Iler principal dimensions will be fovuid in the table. 'Vlu^ 
Gueri iere v/as taken from the I'rench in 1805, Iier dimensions are 
also given. 

A coinpr.riion of the numbers in the two columns o^ nctual forcr 
in Table 1, v/ill shew a disparity in the (Constitution's favour, of 
nearly a third. IJut in that estimate, no allowance is made for tht; 
crippled, half-fitteJ slate, in whitli the (iUerriere conunenced ac- 
Hon ; nor for tlie essential diiference there is, between {\\e practical 
gunner and (\yc rei^ret to S3y) the mere novice. 

As it may be not less auiusing-, than instructive, io understand by 
what !»pecie«5 of lo<!^ic, the Ansnricf.ns have persuaded theui»elve!;, 
that their frigate* and ours are of equal force, we shall cite a work, 
" which ov/es uofhin^- to fiction, Dothin<ir to artful disposition of 
drapery, to a{f>^cJetl attitude, or to gaudy, over-heightened enlour- 
inj^ ; but is all matter of authentic history." The reader will not 
beaarprised, at thisbeing- the " Naval History" ; nor that the a- 
bove compliment paid to it, should form part of the " Criticism," 
which occupies the three first pagxis. 

*• Much having- beeilsaid on the disparity of force between the 
American 44-ffun frigates and the British 38, the rates of the Con- 
ititution and Guerriere, it will, perhaps, not be out of place here, 
to £;ive a comparative view oftbe force of each. Boih the Ameri- 
can 44-f^un ships and the British S8-gun ships are constructed ofi 
the same principles, and their guns are placed in the same relative 
posilioa, forming- batteries of a similar nature. The guns in each 
sjiii) are placed on the main or gun-deck, the quarter-deck and the 
forecastle. The gun-deck, which may be considered as the line of 
tiefence, is about 176 feet lono in the American 44-gun ships, anU 
about 160 feet* in the English ^S-^un ships. The hue (.f defence, 
therefore, ill the American 44-;;nn ships, e:sceeds the English by 
about irj feet. Rut, it is to be observed, t!mt the length oi the \mv 
of defence by no means implies strength. This esseutuilly consist" 
ii\ thenu-nberofj-uns that can be placed in baitery, with advan^ 
tage in a .'iiven liny, and the strength of the ramparts and parapets. 
in which lipht the sides of the slup may be considered. A line ot 
defence of 200 feet, mounting ^50 guns in battery, would be aboiit 
one fon.th weaker, and produce vw eiVect one fourth h^s.^ tiiau 
J li!)t-ofdt.ience of one iiuadr-'J und fifty feet lojij-, n-.our,tin- 



'»::. 



OuLi riiu'i I'j. h. i.kIhj 



i3 

l]»o RUiiie miii)')cr off^uns. The American 44-p;mi ships movmf; 
.'>() twenty-four poiuulers on the c^un-deck, 2i thirty-^wo pounder 
carrnnades, and two eiij^hteen ponnicr-^,* on their quarter-deck and 
f«)re-ca?tle, or upper decks. The nritis!i ."S-f^un ships mount 2S 
€ii>!itecn pounders on their ^un-deck, IS thirty-lwo pound carron- 
ades, and 2 eighteen pounders, on tli'Mr (juarter-dcckuiid ibre-casUe, 
besides a 24 poundf^r shifting- gun. f [n an en^a.<;;eaient between 
ihi[) <\\\'l ship, the eiject produced is; by the broadside, or the num- 
))er of «^uns placed in battery on one side of the ship. 80 tiiatonJy 
Ijalf the number of nuns in aihip can be considcredas placed in bat- 
tery in its Ipiv^th or lint; of dcibnco. Tlie number otji^nns, there- 
fore, of the American i4-j:;un shipE--, placed in battery in it? line of 
defence of I7'5 feet, will !»e 28. The number of guns in the English 
*3S-ouu ^hips, placed In battery in its line of defence of 160 feet, will 
he 24; ; Sut as they carry a nhiftin^ g"^i"> which may be placed in bat- 
tery on either sidc,the number will actually bo 25. So (hat the num- 
ber of (f^uns in battery in th(^ American 44-jjun shij).s, will exceed 
those in the En^^lish SS-i^un siiips, only one tenth. But the Amevi- 
*;an line of defence is one tenth longer, and consequently would be 
one tenth weaker than the English, if it had only the same number 
of <;;!ns in battery : consequeutly, the force ofeach, when the line 
of defence and number of gun 5 placed in battery are considered, is 
about equal." 

" The An!crican44 ^nn fshtp.? carry twenty-four pounderi? on their 
^un-deck?, the Euolish, eighteen pounders. But are not eighteen 
pounders of snilicisnt wei,!i!it of metal for the service of lar^^e fri- 
gatejN, and fully calculated to produce every effect that may be re- 
quired in an engac;^ement betiveen frigates ? — ^It has, moreover,becr! 
asserted \t) the onicers of the Constitution that the shot of the Java's 
<"ii;htccn pounders:|: were only three pounds li2,hter than those cf 
the American twenty-four pounders, after accurately v/ei^-hino- them 
both. So that, consequently, the difference in weight of metal was 
only one eii^hth." 

"• It has been.asserted in the Briti'^b nevi'spnpers, that the Ameri- 
c.in frigates were 74's in dis£;ui3e. It has also been asserted by an 
Ihip^lish naval commander,f> Lnhis official letter, that the Aroericaa 
■« i-^nn ships were built with the scantling of a 7i. If, by this as- 
ijertion, he meant to insinuate that the American 44i-g-nn ships were 
of the same nature v,ith a Tier ships of the line, he has nnnifsstcd 
an extreme ivautofc-indourtM" w'arit of professional knowledge. 74- 
:g;un ships are all of the line, that is^they have «]fuhs mounted on two 
:g-un-decks,extendingthe whole length of the ship,or its line of defence, 
besides those on the quarter-deck and fore-castle; and, in addition to 
the5e,there are guns on the poop. [j The length of the line ofa 74 is a - 

"TliJs nininmcnt was at one time ordered I»y Congress, but subsequently alterc;!. 
t.Sce .nbovi' p. 9. 

}^^ost juobably soiuc s'lM'iench ciglitocu poiiudi-r that Iiatl boon, by accident Joft on 
"i^onrJ. 

^Ciijitiiin C.-.rtlni, " • llQuite a now dt-fautioti oi a " ship of tiieliaf."' 



bout tiio FTinieaslhat of the -Ainoruan 4-}-f;un s:)ip. A 7 i i;!in ^hiu 
njounts about SS 2;nns ; conpoqiirnilv, the nntnfior ot'r^nji-i placnt 
in bnttorv in hor lino of defence, will bo ^-l i^vins ; unil in the Ai'icri- 
can frifi^iite of4i «^uns, only 2S in tho samo line ofjlcfenco. ('on^c- 
'^tiently, the Btri»nf>th of the line of defence of a 71, is not very far 
fi:om. double tha( of an ATnerican i4-oun ship, considered in re?ppct 
of the number of £;uns ; without taking into consirleration, the dif- 
ferencein weight or'uetal.antl the coinpactnessaud stven^th of judes." 

" Tbi^, w^ i)eliev(», f.u(iicieutly demonstrates th" iHiber.ilitv and 
absurdity ofconioarinp;- theAmcrican 44-.^un frijjates to Criti&'iT'l' 9-\ 
vith a view to disparag^o t]ie rising s^lory of the Vm?rican navv. 
an J to depreciate the noble exploits of her ijaDai.t tars."* 

i^lr (Jhrk'^s last sentence reaii.ids ua of hnrinrr omitted to ';ta<e. 
that several of (he Constitution's crew wercrpco;;ni^ed by thefiuer- 
rierc^', as old shipma'es and countrymen. One fellow, in particu- 
lar, who '\i\-^ making; up buck-shot cavtridj^es, had rerved under 
the first licTilcnant. flad rvcrj' thip'c company in the service an 
opportunity, at that time, of inr.pectin£^ the Constitution's crew^ 
how many, besides the commissioned officers, \vould have prov^fSr 
to be native Americans ? 



(C.) 

ri^OLIC nnd WASP. 

The Frolir, having under ron^'oy six TionKir.ird ir-utid vossels 
from the bny of Honduras, and boipij in lat. 3(i"' N.and lonjr. CI" W. 
^vas overtaken by a violent jrale of wind, in which she carried auay 
her niain-yard, lost her (op-sails, and sprung- the main-top-mast. 
On the morninp^ of (he IStli. while repniriuo,- (he datuape? sustained 
in the storm, and re-assemblinf; the scattered ship:<, a suspiciouji 
ship came in si/;Iit, and ^iwc chace to the convoy. 

The merchant-ships continued their voyage before the Mind, un- 
tlei" all sail ; the 1^'rolic dropped astern. and !»oisted Sj)anish colours, 
to decoy the stranger under her guns, and to give time for the con- 
voy to e.scape.f 

The F'rolic had bccncruizing in the We^t-Indio'Jfeveral months. 
She left Port- Royal, .lamaica, before the war with America was 
known there ; and had since heard of it only by rumour, \vhich was 
not credited. She had thirty two men short. of cemplemcut ; and 
her remaining cre\s', ofiicers and all, were so much arr*ic(ed by the 
climate, (hat they could scarcely perform the routlu*? of (he service. 
'JMie m«Mi did their b''"-t, ho\^evcr, to remove the unin yard, (which 

"^N. IT. Vo). 1, p. '.-"• :T.p;tf I cfC.ipJ. V'!'iryat<'s. 



J5 

wa? on deck being fislicri,) partly out of the tffiv of liie guns, Tlu'ii- 
ijearts -rtcre good, but their elforts were ft^eble. 

As (he American account of this action has the merit of being, al least, 
circuvnstantialj mc lieregive it at length : 

" At thirty two minutes past elovon, the Wa';p came do%vn to-windw^nl 
on the larboard side of the Frolic. When within about sixty yards she 
hailed. The Frolic then hauled down Spanish colours ; hoisted the Bri- 
tish ensign : and opened a tire of cannon and musketry. This^Tas instant- 
ly returned by the Wasp ; and, Hearing the enemy, the action became close 
and spirited About four or five nir.utes after the commencement of the 
action, the raain-top-mast of the Wasp Avas shot away, and having fallen 
with the main-top-gaTi 3ard,acrosr. the larboard fore atul fore-ten- «ailbraces, 
rendered her head yards unmanageable duringthc remainder of the engage- 
ment. In tv.o or three minutes more, her gaftand mizen-top-gallant-sail 
^vere shotawav. She however kept up a clos^e and constant lire. The sea 
vas so roughthat the muzzles of the Wasp's guns were frequently under 
water. The Americans fired as the side of their ship was going dowr\. 
Their shot, of course, either struck the Frolic's deck or below it. The 
English fired as their vessel rose. Their balls cor.Hcquently only struck 
the rigging, or were ineffectual. The Wasj), having now shot ahead of <he 
Frolic, pourod a broadoide into lier, which completely raked her. She 
then took a position on the Frolic's larboard bow. A most spirited fire 
was now kept up from the Wasp. It produced great eflect. The tire of 
■the Frolic had slackened so much, that Capt. Jones gave up his intention 
.^f boarding her, lestborh ve«^scls might he endangered by the roughnes.^ of 
■fhe sea. But, in the course of a few minute? more, nota brace of the Wasp 
was left. All had been shot away. Her rigging was so much torn to pie- 
«-es, that Capt. Jones wrs afraid that her masts, being unsuixported, would 
go by the board ; and the Frclic thereby be enabled to escape. He there- 
fore resolved to boards and at once decide the contest. With this inten- 
tion he wore ship and rnn down v.pon ihc enemy. The vessels struck each 
other. The Wasp's side rubbed along the Frolic's boM-. The jib-boom 
of the latter entered between the main and miiren rigging of the Wasp, di- 
rectly over the heads of Capt. Jones and hi:, first lieutenant, Biddle, who 
were then standing together, n^?ar the capstan. The Frolic, now lay in so 
good a position for being raked. Uiat it was resolved not to board until a- 
nother broadside had been poured ibto her. So near were the two vessels, 
that while the men were loading the gun?, the rammers of the Wasp were 
pushed against the Frolic's sides : and two of her guns went through tlia 
bow-ports of theFrolic.and swept the whole length of hor deck. About this 
time. Jack Lang, a brave and intrepid seaman of ihs Wasp, artd who had 
once been impressed by a British man-of-war, jumped on a gun with his cut- 
lass, and was springing on board the Frolir, when Captain Jones desir- 
ing to fire again before Ijoardintr, calird him down. But, probably 
urged on by his impetuosity, he did n*t. hear the command oi his captain, 
and was imn^ediately on the bowsprit of. the Frolic. Lieutenant liiddle 
perceiving the ardour and cnlhusdasm of tn.e;Wasp's crew, mount'>d on the 
hammock-cloth to board. The -.-rew iir.mediatcl.y fGllov.-ed. Isnt ihe lieu- 
tenant's feet being entangled in the rigging of the Frolic's bc\v;pritj and 



mi ' ' ' 

bac 

ih 



idshipman Baker, in his ardour to beard, laying hold of his coat^ he fell 
ck on the Wasp's deek. He directly sprang up, aiicl ns Ihone'xt swell of 

? Sf>a biTUshf t!ie Frolir near'-r, h-- ^n^ nr, noy •,.':,-vs; ri* •,■. I^civ ]-{:'■.»; an'i 



}i!io(ht'r !<oar.H;in v/fvo iilrridy. lie pRst^td thv.v.\ on tl)c foro-caslie ; and 
was Tiiuch furpiir.cil at not soeinf; a p^ingle nir^n ali'o upon thp Frolic's dcck^ 
cxcciJt tiio wawianat the wheel and <hief> oRlrers. The deck v/as slippery 
"vvlth l)!(X>d : :ind:>trcv,r(l uitli dead bodies. As ho went forv.'.ird, )h<> cap- 
fain of tho Frolic, rnultwo other oflicers mJio were standing on the ([uaiter- 
deck, threw dotrn their swords, and nia,de an inclination of fhtiir bodies at 
a sign of siibTTiission. The celouis of the Frolic were still flying. None 
efher seamen probably dared to go into the rigging, to strike them, for 
fear of the musketry of the Wasp. Lieut. Biddle, himself immediately 
jumped into the ringing, and hauled down the 13riti?li ensrgn. Possession 
was taten of flie Frolic forty three minutes after tlit: cot/Knonrenient of tho 
action. S!ie presented a most shocking spectacle. lier i/irth-(U»ck was 
frTowdcd with dead, wounded. and dying. Pvot above twenty of her crew 
escaped unhurt."* 

The disabled coTidltion of the Frolic previous to thp ongagcnient, and 
which, no doul)t, first tempted the American to approacJi licr, forms no part 
pf Mr Clark's narrative. Its effect upon, her, from the very onset of the ac- 
rid;. Capt. Whinyatcs thus describes : 

" 'i'he superior fire of our guns gave every reason to expect its speedy ter- 
mination in our favour, but the gall-head braces being shot away, and tliere 
being no sail on the mnin-mast, the brig became unmanageable, and the e- 
neray succoedrd in taking a position to rake her, while she was unable to 
bring a gun to bear." 

'' Af(or lyinp; soiuc time exposed to- a most destnictivc fire, she fell with 
til' bovvsprit bctuixt the enemy's main and nvzen ric^ging, still unakle to 
rcluni his iira. At lengtl) the enemy boardcdj.and made liimsclf master o? 
the brJf , every individual officer being wounded, and the greater part of the 
Bien either killed or wounded, tlicre not remaining twenty persons unlinrt. 
AUheugh I shall ever deplore the nnliappy issue of this contest, it would 
fee great inj'jstice io the merits oftlie ollicers and crew, if 1 failed to report, 
ths t their brnver}'^ and coolness are deserving of every praise ; and lam 
convinced, ift the Frolic had not been crippled in the gale. I should have to 
inakn a very different report to your Excel icncy.t Tlie ^V'asp was taker, 
and the Froli'-- re-cipturcd the samo afternoon by H. M. S. Poicticrs." 

Thf^ Io^^« of the '>Vasp's main-fon-nuist in five minutes after the action 
foinmencvn], proves that tho Frolic's shot, before she came up in tiie wind, 
wer« not altogether " inefTectual." The Americans, wishing it to be in- 
ferred, thnt tliey also were disabled, represent the falling of the main-lop- 
sail yard upon thi! braces, as rendering their head-yards L!innanageal)Ie. A.> 
i^eanian at tliismometit observes, that the Wasp's men must have been lub- 
lyvTii indeed, iftheycoold not clear the braces in three minutes ; that, were 
they oven sliotaway entirety, the yards could bo worked by the bow-lines ; 
and tliat, ■with tiie niijjcn-top-sai! still aloft, avid the advantage of tho 
wcath^r-gag*>,thti Americanshipxonld command what position she choosc<lv- 
ilowover, Messieurs Jonos and Biddle did not imagine, perhaps, that thcii' 
.stat«ni?iit would be thus cri<i(isr'l. or they v/onid have bi-en more particu" 
lar in drawing it up. 

Vvhat a parade about fids boarding exploit. One hundred and thiit>/< 
.'\meric.ans, with luhok-sl'nn^ to board, in tlio vary teeth offour liiitons, two- 
«»f whoia werr» srvvrcl^ wonnded. Another of t^aptain Jones' prenaraton. 



ibrcadsides j«i{<hl li;ive clrarcd the deck of thnac fou; ; ;iu(l (lieu "•• tiic ar- 
dour iiiul ciilhubia.bni of the Wasp's crew," -would iiave i.ad all daadbodici 
to triumph otct. 

Captain \Vhir=y;iti p, and (he recond licat(;nant, Etiward Medley, warn 
severely woiuidcd; the iaiter in lour or live phices. These truly bra', o nie;r, 
J>leeding profusely, would not quit their stations ; but sup[)ortccl theni" 
selves against opposite sides of the capiitan, aided l)y the points of their 
swords in (he deck. Whiita spectacle !— When the enemy came rushing 
over tiie mangled bodies towRrds the quarter-deck, the two officers tiircvr 
down their swords; and "^^ the inelination of Ihetv bodies" became th? 
ludural consequenceef tiieir now unfupportedstate. 

The boardJng-otiieer ordered one of the Frolic's petty-oiftcerri to haul 
down the colours ; but the man peremptorily refused,— a lletjing, that hf 
)!.id not been accustomed to do such things-. Tins bold reply excited in 
the breast of the American, wrath, instead of sympathy ; and the gallaal 
-seaman vsas very near sharing the fate of his niess-mates. 

TheJ'iolic's lirst lieutenant and master were among the killed. The 
total of killed and wounded (several from buck-shot) amounted to CO ', — • 
nearly three foui-(h!s of her brnve crew. The slaughter vyoukV havs beeu 
Mtill greater, had not Captain Whinyates, scon after the briggOt foul of tha 
enemy so tliat her guns could not bear, ordered ih« men to g* below, oiu 
«f reach of {•he merciless riiles, and the sweeping bitjadsides, of his too for- 
"tunate opponeiit. Did thei'"roiic, at th* tin\e of getting ent:uigled, possess 
only the number of nieu,unhurt,with which she began the action, how loap; 
would thfji have deliberated about bearding the ^V'asp ? 

The V\ usp, by the AKiericaa account, lost iiie killed and five wounded. 
Several others were wounded ; although, as usual, not in their estimate. 

The Frolic mounted sixteen thirty-two pounder carronades, and two 
long sixes ; besides a twclve-poander boat-carronade, which was litted so 
as to be fired upon either broadside. Like ali other brigs of her class, with- 
out excepiion,she had nine gun-ports, and a bridle,, on each side. Her crew, 
■jis stated before, consisted only of 89 j and of ihcm a great proportion were 
boys. 

The Wasp's aiTnamcat consisted of double tliat specified in the calibrc- 
columiis of the (able. One hundred and thirfy of her cre\v were received, 
unhurt, by the agent for prisoners at Bermuda. This gives her, according 
to their own account, 140 in the action. Two men, it appears, were lost 
Tiverboawl on the 15th. She had thci•efor(^ a complement of at least 1-12, 
(and those all picked men,) on leaving the Delaware, five days before the 
action. 

Her boatswain and boatswaiifs mate proved to lie deserters ; one from 
i]\e Cambrian, the otlier from the Cleopatra. Ten of tiie crew were also 
■detained as Biilish subjects ; huton the principle, perhaps, that niiie(v--uini-> 
traitors hadbelter escape, than one prisoner of war lose his lift\the evidence 
was notdeenied sufiicieut to convict any of then.. 

'J'he comparative size of the V/'asp and f relic wUi l.e iLiund in ilu- taoL 
of dimt.'nsions. Tiie bulwarks of the former were more compact than a 2S- 
guu frigate's ; and her qaarcers, generally, far superior to those of any sioop- 
of-war ill the service. , j ' 

Even (he circumstance of tlie Frolic havisig a convoy in cliarg'', '•va; not 
k>.-:t oil the commander of the Wasp. H; mad ■ orit thut ••foar.of.them wevi- 
1.11-^e ihiyi; an let'.// maru;!^ ia;>.i.iLia2 ^-■•■> '^ 1 J t3 18 ji.is i::i',i. C: li i'.; 



15 

Jonas, aotwitlistaiiding. Msolretl to attack them. 1 he conVoy made theii 
escape. The sioop-of-war alone rMuained. She piovrd to he the Frolic^ 
Captain Whinyates, mounting '^2 j;uns, with a crew of aijout 120 men."* 

In guns, the two vessels maybe considered asexual. The state of prepar- 
ation, however, in uhich one was, aiul tlie state of uncn-tainty as to Mar, 
in M'hich the other was,aloue created a decided disparity. VVhen to tliat 
is added, that, while the Wasp was fuliy rigged, the Frolic was crippled by 
a gale ; and to that again, that, while the former had one hundred and fortv 
luen, in fell health, the latter had eighty-nine only, — and those sick and 
ematiated, the reader hiniself tan make the best Citimate, of the comparu- 
Jive force of the AVasp and Frolic. 

Mr. Ciark winds Up liis auihenitc statement, thus ; •• the crews of both 
vessels were about equal. The Biitish vessel nionntcd four more guns than 
tlie American. This action has completely demonstrated the superior t.kiU 
and meritof the American naval officers and seamen. "+ 

Deceived by this, and a thousand other misrepresentations, the most 
moderate American, while he may he brought to doubt the equality of somr; 
of the actio)is, will not fail Gxultingly to remind you, — tliat in tliat of the 
Wasp and Frolic, " the suncriority of force certainly vas on the side oS 
the British." 



aiACL'DUMAN and UxMTED STATES. 



In this case, unfortunately, althoHgh our ship had the weather-gage, she 
was cut to nieces by long shot. The sentence of the Court-Mai tial upon 
Captain Carden notices tlie fact thus : 

'' Tji^ Couifc is of opinion that previous to the commencement of the 
action, from an ovcr-auxiety to keep (he vveatlier-gage, an opportunity was 
lost of closing with the enemy ; and that owing to this circumstance the 
Macedonian was unable to bring the United States to close action, until 
she had received material damage ; but as it dot-s not appear that rtils omis- 
sion originated in the most distant wish to keep back frointhe engagement, 
the Court is of opinion, tliat Captain J. S. Ctrden, his olBcers aiul ihip's- 
company, iu every iiistar.ce throughout the action, behaved v\ith the firmest 
and most determined counige, resolution, and coolness, and that the colcura 
of the Macedonian were not struck, until she was unable to make further 
resiMrince." 

Tlie Americaa account says,—" The Macedonian being to windward, 
had tlu' advantage of engaging at her own distance. This was so great^ 
that for the first lialf hour the L'ltited States did not use her carronades. 
At no time was theMaCedonian within such dijitanceas toadniii of musket' 
ry and giape being used with good effect. Owiii* to Ihi^icircuinbtancCj and 
a heavy swell of the sea, the action lasted an hour luui i half.":jl 

•Am. .N. !i. vy). i . p. lee. * ll-i-.l 13*.>. illnJ Y. 1S5. 



19' 

Ouc paHof this story is erroneous ; for long before the action 
cudetl, the Macedonian's surt^eon extracted from the right arm-piC 
of a midshipman, an iron f*hot weighing twelve ounces. 

The injuries winch the Macedonian received, are thus detfiiled 
by Captain (.'aiden : 

" After an hour's action, the enemy bacKedand camcto tlie « ind, 
and I was then enabled to bring her to close battle. In this situ- 
ation,! soon found the enemy's tbrce too superior to cjcpect succcs'^. 
unless some very fortunate chance occurred in our favor ; and vrith 
this hope, 1 continued the battle to two hours and ten minutes • 
when having- the mizen-mast, shot away by the board, tpp-ma?ts 
«hot away by the caps, main-yard shot in pieces, lowcr-masts bad- 
ly wounded, lower rigging all cut to pieces, a small proportion on- 
ly of the fore-sail left to the fore-yard, all the ij-unson the quarter- 
deck and fore-castle disabled but two, and filled with wreck, two 
also on the main-deck disabled, and several shot between wind and 
\Vater, a very great proportion of t!ie crew killed and wounded, and 
the enemy comparatively in good order, who had now shot ah«ad, 
iind was about to place himself in a raking position, without oui* 
being able to return the fire, being a perfect wreck and unmanage- 
able log ; I deemed it prudent, though a painful extremity, to sur- 
render his Majesty's ship." 

The Macedonian lost her boatswain, a master's mate, and thirty 
four seamen and marines, killed ; her first and second lieutcnantSj 
and sixty six seamen and marines, wounded ; total 104. 

The United States suffered in masts and rigging ; but not much 
in her hull. She lost five killed, and seven badly wounded ; two 
of whom, one a lieutenant, died of their wounds. Her aiightly 
wounded are not enumerated. 

The Macedonian's establishmenfof guns was, twenty-eight long 
eighteen^, one twelve- and sixteoa thirty-t^vo pounder carr^nades, 
and two long nines ; total 47. But Captain Carden, on taking the 
command ot her, brought on board two long brass twelves, and. 
got the nines exchanged for two thirty-two pounder carronade- r 
w hich encreased her guns to 49. 

She hj>^ onboard at the commencement of the action, twohundred 
and feventy-nine officers, seamen and marines, eight foreigners out 
of a French regiment for a band, and -ixteen boys ; total 303. 

The United States mounted thirty long twenty-four's (Engllsli 
^4iip-gnns) upon the main-d^ck ; one twelve-pounder cgrronade for 
firing into the tops, twenty two iTortv-twoppunder rarronades, and 
two long twenty-fours, botli foughton one side as in the Constitu- 
tion, upon the quarter-deck and ibre-castle ; al^o two. taur-pound- 
ers in the tbre^top, two inthe main-top,and one in, the mizen-top; 
making a total of 60 guns. - The top-guns wore. mount?.'d upon piv< 
ots, soas to be fired on either bruadsiiie ; amJ. aijcied by the riilosi- 
Vtecame h. very destr-uctive battery]^* ■' 

ft wa^ stated in a New-York paper of May 1SJ.5 : that the com- 



>r>) 



20 

mandor ofthe UnitedSlatcs, rmdinj^in his shipa disposition (o hog 
had reduced her guns from "fifty four" to fori y oipht. (-omino 
dore Decatur, also, in his proposition for a con(cst wiili tlie Endy- 
mioji, mriitions hi"^ " twelve-pounder carronade." ('ajitain Car- 
den's account ofthe force ofthe United fitntes iij)on lier deciis, 
therefore receives confirmation. As to tlie howitzers in her top?, 
similar ones, in riumbertind calil>re, were found on board the Presi- 
dent ; and she is called a sister-ship to the United States. 

Having made no captures previous tolier falling; in with the Ma- 
cedonian, the United States had on board hfr full complement of 
men ; ^i-hich, hy Captain Carden's account, consisted of 478 picked 
seamen. 

Thata s:reat proportion of these were deserters from the I3ritish 
navy, one fact puts beycnd a doubt. Many ofthe main-deck ^uns 
ofthe United States, were named after ships and actions in which 
the men had fought. One of the Macedonian's boys, William 
Hearne, a nntive of London, actually found among the hostile crew, 
—his own brother ! This hardened traitor, after reviling the Brit- 
ish, and applauding the American service, invited his brother to en- 
ter the latter. Tiie honorable youth replied, with tears in his eyes, 
— " if you are a rtiscal, that's no reason I should be one." 

Shattered as the Macedonian was, Commodore Decatur, much 
to his credit, contrived not only to render her sea-worthy, but to 
conduct her home in safety, from lat. 25" N. and long-. of> SO' VV. 
The two ships arrived ofTMantaugon the 4th of December ; but did 
not reach NeW' York until new-year's day. It was singular that, 
during a seven week's passage over such an extent of sea, not one 
Jlritish cruizer, out ofthe many hundreds aiioat, should IiavccLOsa- 
ed their path.. 

The ships remained some time at Nc\v-London ; ^vherc the Ma- 
cedonian's crcAV were allmved to wander at large, in hopes they 
would enter the American ser\ ice. Some did enlist, but not so 
many as reported. As to the band, they cf course, where coinitry 
was indifferent, had, from the first, preferred the victor to the van- 
quished. If we except ' Hail Columbia' and ' Yankee-doodle,' 
they had no new tunen to learn ; and soon struck up as ' Decatur'* 
march,' what they had often played as — 'The battle of the"Nile.' 

The Macedonian was contract-hudt, jet esteemed one ofthe 
finest frigates of Iter class in the British niuy. Her dimcHsions^ 
both in hull and spars, will be found in 'J'able 7. 

The United States was built in Philadelphia, and launched in the 
(summer of 1797. According to Mr. Clark, she cost 239,S."() dollars,, 
56" cents, or 4^67350. 14. 7- sterling. That she is equul in size ("• 
the Presidoiu, we infer from her American tonnage, as given by 
Commodore Decatur's biographist, '' agreeing with wluit the Com- 
modore himself lias since slated to be (he measurement oflhut ship, 

"Aiialcctic IMa;u/.im\ 



SI 

namely, 1440. In an oflTicia! report of the secretarjf of tlie American 
navy, the toiinaii^o of tlie President, more accurately estiuiiited per- 
haps, is called l444 ; and, upon applyinj^- the American rule ufcarft- 
iijo; the tpanajje to the Piesident'a dimensions, i44ir is the amount, 
obtained. ^Vere any ar^junient to be drawn from the expence of 
building, the fact of the United States having cost a full fourth more 
than the President,^' would argue that the former was the larger of 
the two. 

Although we cannot but regret that, owing to a want of skill on 
our part, more execution was not done to the enemy in the action 
of the Macedonian and United States, the latter's decided super- 
iority of force, altords to the Americans no reasonable cause of 
exultation. By a method of calculation peculiar to themselves, 
however, the American government have considered the two ships 
as equally matched ; and, agreeably to the provisions of their new 
prize-act, awarded to the conqueror,^, the full \aluc of the captur- 
ed (riiyute. 



■:--:n -■■- 

JAVA and CONSTITUTION. 

Just put in commission and hastily manned, the Java was fitted 
«ut to convey a governor and his staff, and a cargo of copper and 
other stores to Bombay, 

Previous to the ship leaving Spithead, her gallant commander 
did his utmost to get exchanged, the indifferent hands with which 
i;he was chiefly manned, fbr even tolerable seamen. Captain Lam- 
bert's urgent applications were, however, unheeded ; and, with a 
force which, numerically considered, made her superior to most 
frigates of her class, the Java was about the least evident thirty « 
eight in the service. At this time too, the Guerriere's loss had been 
known in London upwards of seven weeks. 

The action between the Java and Constitution, wa^ fought off 
t!ie const of Brazil, en the 29th of December. Wo shall give first 
tihe American account of it, extracted from Mr. Clark's bookt : 

" At a quarter past one, the ship in sight proving to bean English 
frigate, and being sufiiciently distant from land, Commodore Bain- 
bridge ordered the -nainsails and royals to be taken in, to tack ship 
^nd stand for the enemy ; who soon boie down with an intention 
x)f raking- the Constitution, which shtj avoided by wearing. At 2 
^'clock, P. M.the British ship was within half-a-mile of theConsti- 
tiition, and to windward. She now hauled down her coleurs, ex- 

*N. H. Vol, f. p. .2?9. +!''>«'• 



co|)t a uniou-jatk at the mizcu -roast head. Tl)i» iiuliutd ciii)l:iiu IJaiii- 
bridge to order a gun to be (irod ahead of her, to make licr show her 
lolours. It was surcecded by the whole of the Constitution's broadside. 
On this, the enemy immediately hoisted colours, and returned the fire. 
A general action now commenced with round and grape siiot. The I'riU 
ish frioato kept at a much greal*>r distance than the connr.odore v, islied. 
lie, however, could not bring lier to closer action, w illiout exposing his 
vessel to be several times raked. liofh vessels for somt; time maiiccuvred 
to oblaiu a ])osition that would enable them to rake, or avoid being raked. 
{n the early part of the engap;en)(Mit the wheel of the Constitution was shot 
11 way- CommodoreJjainbridge determined to close with the Britiih vessel, 
notwithstanding, iH so dviiig, he should expose his ship to be several tiraes 
raked. He ordered tlie fore and niaiusails to be set, and luffed up close 
to the enemy, in such manner that his jib-boom got foul of tlie Constitution's 
mizcn-iigqing. About 3 o'clock, the liead of the iJritish vessel's bows-prit 
and jib-boom, wore shot away : and, in the space of an Jiour, her fore-inasfe 
Mas shot away by the board, her main-top-mast just above the tap, her 
ga!f and spanker-boom, and her main-mast nearly by the board." 

'•About 4 o'clock, the fire of (he British vessel being cooipleiely silen- 
led, and her colours in the main rigging being down, siie was supposed to 
have struck. The courses of the Constitution were now hauled on board, 
to slioot ahead, in order to repair her rigging, Vrhich was very much cut» 
The British vessel was left a complete wreck, iler Hag was soon after 
discovered to be still flying. The Constitution, however, hove-to to repair 
some of herilamages. About a quarter of an hourafter,tlie main-mast of the 
iiritish vessel went by the board. About three quarters of an hour after 4, 
I he Constitution wore, and stood for the British vessel ; and got close to 
iier atinvart her bows, in a very eli'ectual y)0^ition for raking, v; lien she 
[)rudentlv struck her flag. Had she sulfered the broadside to have raked 
her, her additional los» would have been extremely great ; for she lay quite 
an unmanageable wreck upon the water."' 

*' After the British frigate struck, tlio Constitution M'ore and reefed top- 
sails. One of the only two reaiaining hoatsout of eight, \vas theuhoisted 
out, and lieutenant Parker, of the Constitution, Avas sent to take possession 
of the frigate. She proved to be his Britannic majesty's frigate Java, rating 
38, but carrying 49 guns. She was manned by upuaids of-lOO men ; and 
was commanded by captain Lan\bert, a ^K^xy distinguislud naval ollicer. 
He was mortally wounded. The action continued, from thetime the firing 
commenced till the linn; it ceased, one hour and .5;) minutes. 

•^ The Constitution had nine men killed, and i'6 ^^'0un(ied. The Java 
!iad CO killed, and 101 certainly wounded — but by a letter written on 
board the Constitution, by one of the olhcers of tiie Java, and acridently 
found, it is evident her loss must have been much greater. He blatcs it to 
have been GO killed, and 170 wounded.'' 

Whenever the Americans, in detailiug their naval actions, fi^id it con-^ 
vrnient to shortetJ the duration of tliem, the \»ord ''about'' is jjrefixed to 
the diflt re ut dates or periods. Lieutenant (,'hadds* oificial account, by 
partieiiluriz.ing every jnatorial event that occurred during tl-.e action, ex- 
j>oses the artifice more coHipleatly than any thing >vc could olfer. Hero 
.'"oUowsari extract from his letter : 
* "At Jlfiv uunules. pa:-t one P. M. tjjc enemy shoitencd sail; nnouwhich 



■,ve hore down upon licr ; at i^n niimitos past two, wiit ii about halt' 
a mile (iistant, she opened her lire, giving us Iier larboard broad- 
side, which was not returned till we were close on her wcatlier 
bow. IJotli ships iiow nnanocuvred to obtain advantageous posi- 
tion-:, our opponent e\idently avoidinj:;- close action, and lirino liij»h 
to disable oar masts; in whicii he succeeded too well, having shot a- 
wav the head ot'oiir bowsprit with the iib-booni, and our running 
rigging so much cut as to prevent our preseiving the weather-gage.^ 

" At live uunutes past three, (inding the enonn's raking fire ex- 
tremely hoavy, Captain liHinbcrt ordered theship to bo laid on 
board, in whicii we should h;tve succeeded, h;t'd not our Ibre-Hia.st 
been shot away at this moment, the remains of our bow-sprit pass- 
ing o\er hi-* talTrail ; shortly after tliis the maiji-top-nmst went, 
leavingthe ship totally unmanageable, uith most of our starboard 
guns rendered useless from the wreck lying over then)." 

'• At half past three our gallant Captain received a dangerous 
Mound in the Ijrreast, and was carried below ; from this time we 
could not lire more tlian two or throe guns until a quarter past 
four, when our mizen-mast was sliot away ; the ship then fell ott'a 
little, and brouglit many of our starboard guns to bear: the enemy's 
rigging was so much cut,t!iat he could notiiowavoid shooting ahead, 
which brought us fairly })rou(lside and broadside. Our main-vard 
now went in the slings, both ships continued engaged in this man- 
ner till thirty live minutes past four, we frequently on lire in con- 
sequence o( the wreck lying on the side engaged. Our opponent 
now made sail ahead, out oi^un-shot, where he remained an hour 
repairing his damages, leaving us an unmanageable wreck, ^v^th 
only the maiurmast left, and that tottering. Every exertion was 
made by us during this interval to place the ship in a 6tato to renew 
the action. We succeeded in clearii.»i: tlie wreck of our masts from 
our guns, a sail wa.-; set on tlie .^tuuips of t!ic foremast and bowsprit, 
the weather half of the main-yard remaining aloft, the main-taek 
was got forward in the hope of gettisig the ship before the wind, 
our helm being still ])erfect; the effort unfortunately proved incf- 
i'ectual, from the main-mast falling over the side, from tlie heavy 
rolling of the ship, which nearly covered the whole of our starboard 
guns. We s*ill v\aited tlie attack of the enemy, he no\v standing 
t<jwards us for that purpose ; on his coming nearly witliir. hail of us, 
and from his manoeuvre perccivin<j ho intended a position a-head, 
where he could rake us without apoiisi!)iIity of our returning a shot, 
1 then consulted tlie olficers, who agreed with myself that our hav- 
ing a great part of our crew killed and wounded, our bowsprit and 
three masts gone, sevjeral guns useless, we should not bejustitied 
in wa>ting the lives of more of those remaining, v.'ho I liopo their 
lordships and the country will tlsird; ha\e bravely defcr.dpd his 
Majesty's ship : under these circumstances, however reluctandy.at 
fifty ndnutes })ast live, our colours were lowere*! tVon. the stump of 
the mizan-mast. and we were taken po!sS€*sion of £ !ii«k? after si\, 



*1 

by the American Iri^ute (IJonstitulidn, comimiiuled by Couuiuxlofd 
l>ainbriilge,\vhc», imau'dititely aTicr a.scei-iaiiii;.;x' ^-le t-Uxtv. ot'tlie f-hip, 
resulved on burning' I im\ which we had the salistactiou of seeing- 
dune, us suon a:j the wounded men wt're removed," 

Not, then, till after three boms and fifty minutes o^f determined 
resistap.ce, nor till her bow-spiit and (hree uiasts were shot out oflier, 
did the Briti.;ii frii»ate surrender. The Java lost all her boa t;;-, and 
!rO shattered was her hull, that as soon as the wounded could be re- 
moved, she shared the fate of the (iuerriere. 

The Java lost of her proper crew, three master.s' mates, two- 
niidehipmen, and seventeen seamen and marines, killed ; her com- 
wunder; master, boatswain, three midshipmen, one lieutenant of 
Riarincs,'^nd forty i\\e seamen and nVarine>, and one boy, severely, 
and her iirst lieutenant, one midbliipirian, thirty-one seamen 
and marines, and three boy?, slightly v.ounded ; and of passenj^ers 
and supernumeraries, four olBcers and nine seamen wounded ; 
total killed and wounded 124. 

Tiie C'onstitutioii had her fore and raizen-inastSj main-top-mast, 
to]>-!!*ail yards, and eeveral other spars, wounded by shot ; and the 
greatest part of the slaiiding-rigging very much damaged. All her 
boats but one were destroyed, in her hull shealso suiFered ; more., 
indeed, llian the Araericiins were willing should be known ; as be- 
came evident afterwards, upon her beii>jj stripped at Boston to 
undergo repair. 

She lost in the action, ten men killed and her commander, fifth 
lieutenant, and forty six men wounded ; four of whom, Lieutenant 
Ayiwin auiong- thera, died of tlieir wounds ; total 58, The Ameri- 
cans, in the published account of their loss, notice,as on former oc- 
casions, the sliglUly wounded only. 

The gallant tJaptain Lambert survived theloss of his ship but six 
dayc. iJe nas interred at St. Salvadoron the 3th of January, with 
military honors. 

The Java mounted the usual establishment of guns ; twenty 
eight long eigiiteens, one twelve, jind sixteen thirty-two pounder 
«:arr()n.^(les ; total 47. The Americans, still neglecting to specify 
the njiture of th(3guns, have in one account given her 48; ij> 
another 49. 

liei' complement of men and bovs ijonsistcd of SOO. The super-- 
numeraiy naval olficers t\eie, one commander, two lietitenants, one 
hiiarine-ollicer, four niidihij)uien, one clergyman, one assistant- 
swrgeon. There were also three military otiicers on board, besides- 
other jjasHoiigers, some servants, and between sixty and seventy sd-- 
|)'.i nuiuerary seamen and marines tor ships on the East India sta- 
tion. Lieutenant Chadds states iier " ship's company and super- 
numeraries" at U77. Commodore Hainhfidge declares he paroled, 
alt()gether,.*5()l ; und llctt there wer?, in addition, nine Portuguese 
and three passengers.. \\l)ieli lie did nat consider prisoners of war. 
A« impartiality is oar object, wethall take the a-uuibcr paroled, 



25. 

LelieTJng, at the same time, that Iweuienant CJiadds was correct in stating 
llie Java's "ship's-ccinpany and supcrnumeraiiL's" to have been 377. By 
bidding the killed to the mmnbcr paroled, tJie amount >iill bo 383. 

It is very hard, thus to be compelled to estimate as part of our force, 
ihat M hich really clogged and weakened it. 'i'lie extra quantity of water 
and provisions for so large a crew, and so long a voyage, wriild bring llic 
fhip'sbattery nearer to the water: — what then would bo the encreased ef- 
fect of the baggage of an Kast-Indla governor ami his staii, <opper for a 
seveuty-four-gun ship and two sloops of war, and innumerable otherarticles 
of stores, with which the Java was lumbered ? 

The cheering of the Java's wounded Uien, while below in the cock-pit, 
proves that she had rorric true-hearted Tritons among her sailors. But, 
admitting all were cf tliat description, untaught the principles of gunnery, 
how were they to prevail over an enemy, who, to great superiority of force, 
added tbi; most skilful u.se of his weapons. 

Lieutenant Chadds, in a second letter to Mr.Croker, says, " I am sorry 
to find the Americans did not behave with the same liberality towards the 
crew, that the ofiicers experienced ;" on the contrary, they weie pillaged 
«f almost every thing, and kept in irens.'" 

The ( ivilities siiewn to the officers by Commodore Cainbridge, l;ad better 
been with-held, than that British seamen should have been so mai-ireateJ. 
Whatever excuse may be offered for the rcbb.-ry, the placing cf the men iu 
irons must have been ordered by the commodore hiTB=eIf« 

The armamefit of the Constitution, with the addition of an eighteen 
pounder earronade fitted upon an elevating carriage, was similar to %^h:iL 
she mounted in her action with the Cfuerriere- 

At this time she had her full complement of men on board : ve^hich Lieut, 
Chadds states at -^SO., "A great proportion of these," $a)Soneofthc 
Java's lieutenants, " were known to be English ; and many of them our 
prime sailors; some had belonged to the Iphigenia, others to the Giieriiere; 
and, I am sorry to say, three of tiie Java's entered when prisoners. "*- 

The Java was a Freuch-bollt ship ; formeriy La Rer.ommee. The frigate 
captured with her, was La Net tide, now the 3.ladagascar. The Java's di- 
mensions will be found in the table. 

The writer of fhe letter from which the above extract is taken, rrakes iiie 
following comparison between the masts of the Java and Constitution :■" ft 
must strike every impartial observer,in noticing how rapidly theJava's masts 
were carried away, one after the other ; but it remains no longer a mystery, 
>Then it is known the ConstitutiGn's masts are equal to our seventy-four'b ; 
and it was noticed by theolhcers of the Java, after the action, that the Java's 
shot had passed through two of them ; but so little did the Americans re- 
gard it,that when at St.?'alvador,after the actionjthey did uotatterRpt tofuk 
ihe masts for security before going to sea.''+ 

Having just been favoured with the perusal of the SDtli volume of the 

Naval Ciironiel^..j: eoritaining the proceedings of the Conrt-Maitial \ipoii 

■the surviving officers and crew of theJava,w'e are induced, r.otMit,hsta:.diu£ 

"IJr. Nav. Chron. Vol. C'.'. p.-tj3. fluid. 

jTlie Packet, having on boaul the Halifax riJinbi r*. wiis caj>tn?e<} bv ^t Ad:**:'?-? j- 



^6 

flic cxtriu-t ;iii-('a<ly f^iven fiom flio loiter rn ^rnicr, to iii^ort ihe folloiviilg 
interesting address of Lioutpnant Chadds to Ihc president of the coujt : 

" My public letter is before (his honourable couri ; but being written itn- 
nicdintely after the action, and on board the encmi, it does not, or indeed 
Oobld tlie compass of a letter^ contain the whole delail of jo long an attirinj 
and \v4iich detail therefore, I now submit to this hononrnble court." 

" At 8 A. M; close in with the land, rtith wind at N. E. di?covered a sail 
to the S. S. ^V. and anotheroll'the entrance of St. Salvador. castoH'the prij!« 
in tow, and made all sail in chase of (he vessel to leeward. AtlOlnad^-the 
private signal, which was not nnewered. '-At 11 hauled npj bringing the 
innd on our larboard quar<er.took in all studding-sails, prr pared for action, 
the stranger standing towards us under tras^ sail, and apparency a large 
frigate. At a little af((>r neon, when al)0ut four tniles distant, she made a 
signalyAvhirh was kept Hyirg about 10 nunute;, when she tacked and made 
sail from us under all plain sail, running just good full ; hauled up the 
same as the chace.but the breeze freshening, could not carry our royals; we 
Averc going atlea:t lOknsts, and gainingvery fast on thechace. At 1. oO. 
ihe hoisted American colours. At 1. jO. having ( Ibsed with (he enemy to 
about two miles, he shortened sail to his top-galian'-sails, jih,- nnd spanker, 
and lufl"'d up to the wind ; hoisted our colours, and put ourselves under 
the same sail, and here down ftn hiBi, he beiivg at this time about three 
])oiirts on our lee bow. At 2. 10. when half a mile di'^lr.nt, he opened his 
iiro from the larboard side, and gave us about (wo bioadsid< s befbre we 
teturncd it, which Avas not done till widitn pistol shot, on his weatherbbwj 
wi(h our sfaiboajd guns. On (he ^moke clearitig away, found him under 
ail sail Ijefore the wind ; made sail after him. At 2. 25. engaged him Avith 
bur larboard guns, received his stari.'oard ; at 2. 35. wore, and raked him 
clost under his stern, giving him (he weather-gage, which he did not take 
advantage of.but made sail fieeoji (lie laiboard (ark: luil'd up, and gave him 
our sfarboaid guns, raking, but rather distant ; made sail after him. At 
2. -iO. enemy shortened sail ; did the same, and engaged him dose to-wind= 
A\;>rd. At '1. 50. he wore in the smoke, and Avas not perceived till nearly 
ioiiiid, having just lost the head' of our bowsprit, jib-boom, Sec; hwve 
in stays, in the hopes of getting round quick and preventing our being 
raked, but (he ship hunga long time, and vve received a heavy raking broad- 
iide iu(o cur stern at about two cables' length distant : gave him our lar- 
board guns on falling oft" : the eneniy were immediately; did (he same. 
At 2. 3/j'. brought him to clinc action within pistol shot (at ; this time the 
master Avas wouiid<^d and carried below) till 3. 5., when finding the dsy ( Vi- 
d.>n(ly goue^fiom U]\ our rigging b?ing cut to pieces, with our fere and main- 
masts badly wourded. Captain Lambert dttcmiined on boarding, as ouron- 
]y hope; Lore np, and should hiive succeeded in lajiiig him abreast of hi?- 
main chains, but from (ke unfortunate fall of our fore-mast, (he remains of 
our bowsprit jiassing over his- stern and catching his mizen-rigging, which 
•was a gi-ent misfortune, as it brought us up to the wind, and pfeveii'trd bur 
raking him ; whilst under the enemy's bteiii, attempting to board, (here 
.v/Hn).o( a scul:(o be seen on his decks, from which circuinstaiiGe I am in- 
duced to beliey.; there was a good prospect of success; this manoeuvre failing,, 
.we were left at the mercy of the cntVjny, which he availed himself of, wear- 
;-U2 ^;r(:>>(>ur bowi. taking us, Avlien our main-top-mast W(uit, and we»r- 



ing- again fit 5. 2. uiu'fir our ttcrn. .4(3. 30. our •valiant captain 
was tijortally wounded, and carried below ; fr©rn this time till our 
mizen-rnast went at 4. 15. he laid on our starboard quarter, pour- 
ing in a tremendous galling fire, whilst ©n our side we could never 
get more than two or three if uns to bear, and frequently none at all. 
After this we fell off, and the enemy shot ahead, which again gave us 
the chance of renewing the action, which was done with good spirits, 
broadside and broadside, Java very frequently en fire from firing 
through the wreck, which lay on the side engaged, till 4. 35. when 
the (Constitution made sail, and got out of gun-shot, leaving us it 
perfect wreck, with our main-mast only standing, and main-yard 
gone in the slings ; cleared the wreck, aisd endeavoured to get 
before the wind by setting a Fail from the stump of the foremast 
and bowsprit; gotthe main-tackforw;trd,(heweathcryd-arm remain- 
ing aloft ; cleared away the booms and got a top-gallaot-rtiast out, 
and commenced rigging it for a jury fore-tTiast,and a lower-steering- 
sailas a fore-sail, but before we could got this accomplished, we wenw 
obliged to cut away the main-mast to prevent its falling inboard, 
from the heavy rolling of the ship. The enemy bore up to renew 
the action ; made every preparation to receive him, reloaded the 
guns with round and grape ; mustered at quarters and found Hi) 
men missing, six quarter-deck guns, fo^ur fore-ca»lle disabled, and 
manv of the main-deckers, with the wreck lying oyer them, the hull 
knocked to pieces, and the foremast, in falling, had passed through 
the fore-castle r^nd main-decks, all our masts and bowsprit gone, the 
ship making water, with one pump shot away, consulted now willi 
lieutenants Nerringham and iiuchanan, when it v/as detennined to 
t'ngage him again, should he give us an opportunity of so doing 
with a probability of disabling him, which was now our solo object, 
but that it would be wasting lives rftgititing longer, should he re- 
sume a raking position, which unfortunately was the case, and when 
close to us, and getting his broadside to bear, I struck, and hailed 
)iim, to say we bad done so, at 5. 50, At six, she took possession of 
us, and proved to be the American frigate Constitution ; the next 
day ] found our loss was 22 killed, and 102 wounded, two of whona 
are since dead. The Americans allowed they had 10 killed, but dif- 
fered very much t>bout their wounded, which I found to be 44 se- 
verely, aud four mortally ; the slight wounds i could not ascertain." 

H. D. Chadds, senior lieuteaant," 
B. Robinson, master." 
''Having in the detail stated the number of killed and wounded on 
both sides, and as my account differs from the one in the public pa- 
pers, and said to be the oliicial reports of Commodore liainbridge, 
j beg leave to state to the court, the manner in which 1 obtained 
f his knowledge. Being of course anxious to discover the loss sus- 
iaineil by the enemy, Idirected Mr. (^apponi, assistant surgeon, to 
Jend his as?i-tance i,n dressing their wounded : th^s he did. and r-? 



2S 

j)oi<t(' to me the Makme^iit I have made. It Iiaviug also beeTu stattd in tiie 
VoperSj tiial llir ConsJUufion was in a shoit liiiie in a con(]ition to com- 
weiicc a second aetion, I mubt lu-g to observe, that 1 do not think sueh a 
fctatftnent conld have been authorised by Commodore Bainbridge_, far lier 
ri<,^i»*rig wasmuh cut, and her masts severely wounded, so much so, as to 
oblige her to return to America, uhirh she cerlaiidy otlierwise would not 
hove doiw, forshewas waiting only to be joined by the Esse;: on {he coast . 
of ljra7.il, when the further destinalijost of this i^quadron, f was given tp un- 
derstaud, was India." 

'■•1 will iroul)l<r, the court with but one more rcmarli. When the prisoners 
Mere removed from th^ Java, siie was set fire to, althouglibat 12 leagues dis- 
liuit from St. Sahador, witii moderaie weaibrr. the cause of which was. her 
sliattered statc\and nor from any fear o;f taking her to a neutral port, as sta- 
ted in Commodore lininbiidge's letter, for he repaired to the same port with 
Jiis own ship, can ying in a valuable prize, the Eleanor scliooner fi;om Lon- 
don." H. I). C. 

Mr.lhomas Cooke J.ones, kite surgcoM of the Java, confirrns the prece- 
ding statement respcciing the Constitution's loss in tlVe action, tiius : 

''•TheAfiiciicans seemed very desirous not to allow any of our ollicers to 
witness tlie nature of their wouiiiie'l, or coinj)u(e I lieip number. I ojdered- 
one of my assistants, Mr Capponl, to attend, when theirassistant went rounds 
and ho ciiumerafed -lG who were unable to stir from th-dr cots, independent 
of the men Mho had re<eived what they called '■' sU^h: hurts. '''' Commodoie. 
iJaiiibridge was severely wounded in tlie right thigh, and four of their am- 
putations periiihed under my own inspcctiori." 

Kow (heftaturos (fan action may be chjnged by misrepresentation ! A ' 
little added to one side, and a little bublracted from the other, will do the 
>vhole. None know better thfin the American;-, the value of these tv,o a- 
rithmetital properties : and upon the ])ro?tituted use of them, have they 
founded all their claims tp "••superior skill and courage on the ocean.'" 

'J'his concludes our iinsuccessfui frigate-actions with the Americans. We 
shall defer entering upon a full discussion of the relative force of the Ame- 
ritdn fortv-fours, and diflerent classes of liiifish ships, until we arrive at the 
note »h tailing the capture of (he President. Our statements respecting those 
extraordinary frigates, will tlien be grounded upon ocular demonstration ; 
and, if to shame ijie Americans be a liopeless task, we may yet con- 
vince the woiUl. that our three frigates were captured by American ships^ 
in every thiu"- but awre number of guns, superior to Biitish sij^ty-fours. 



,(F; 



PEACOCK and llOKNjn . 

Tliii a( tioH was fonglit off Denarara. No Brili:»h official afconnt hli:. 
l)cen published. The following particulars are_<xtracted from the letter of 
t-Iio Ar.i.eri'an commander to his government : 



§9 

^' At .0, '25," says Captain Lawrence, '*ii) pa=;szng cacli other cxcluuiged 
broadsides within half pistol-shot. Observing the enemy in the act of vear- 
ing, I bore up, and received his starlioard broadside, run him clo^e on 
boaid on the starlioard quarter, and kept up such a heavy and well directed 
lire, that in less, than lifteen minutes she surrendered, (beiiig totally cut to 
pieces,) and hoisted an ensign, union down, from his fore-rigging, as n sig- 
hal ofdiitress. Shortly afttrMards her main-nast went I)y tfec board." 

The Peacock sunk a few minutes after the action ended, carrying down 
thirteen of her own crew, and (liree of the Hornet's. Fcur of the tliij tttii 
afterwards gained the fore-top, and were saved by th<i Iloruct's boats. Four 
others took to the stern-boat, and reached Oemarara. in safety. 

Captain Peake, the gallant (.ornnsander of the I'rig,*-' was killed early in 
the action. She lost, also, four se«men killctl ; her master, one midship- 
man, carpenter and captain's clerk, andt\^enty nine men, wounded; of 
wh«m four died after being romcved ; total killed and wounded 31S. 

The rigging and sails of the Hornet were very much cut. One shot went 
tnrough tiic fore-raast ; and the bowsprit was slightly ii-jured : hut her Iiull 
received little or no damage. The Americans acknowledged a loss of only 
two men killed, end three wounded. 

The PeacoL:k wiis originally armed like the Frolic, and other first-class 
brigs • but Captain Peake, Considering that her scantling was too slight to 
bear ttiirty-two-pounder sarronades.got them exclianged for tv,enty-fours. 
Her thirty-twcs are now on board the Jasseur, With two long nines. and 
a twelve-pounder carronade, the Peacock mounted nineteen ftuns ; but the 
Americans have added to Iier armament " one four or six pounderjand two 
swivels." 

Vlaptain Lawrence €a):.Sj'" I 6nd by her quarter-bill that her crew con- 
sisted cf 131 men, four of whom were ai)sent iu a prize." Her officers posi- 
tiYely declared, that she had only HO in the aciion ; including a large pro- 
portion of boys. Her complement was I'il. It is not common, in the VVest 
Indies particularly, for British ships of war to exceed their establishment ; 
nor were there at ths date of the Peacock's action, many brigs, evi.u on ;i 
home-station, that could muster more than 1 11 men and boys. We cannot 
say what4uimber of the Peacock's creVv were "on the sick-list ;"' but, ow- 
iHg to thi> length of time she had been on a West-India station, it is pio- 
bable,none wtre in perfect health. How easily might ('nj)tain Laivrpnce, 
by stating the number of prisoners he rcc,eiYed,have lixcd thePeacock's com- 
plement, beyond dispute. His reasons for preferring the ''q«arter-bill," 
however, could not be mistaken. 

The Hornet's armament was exactly double that specified in the table. 
Some of her oificers said, after the action, that twenty-fours were as good 
as thirty-twos ; and that, therefore,the two vessels were equally matched. 

The Hornet had an officer and seven sailors absent \n a prize ; i)'ot her 
ccmplement of men is not mentioned. We are? told sh-^ mustered, on ttic. 
morning alter the action, " t<vo hundred and seventy souls, including the 
crew of the American brig Hunter, of Portland, taken a tew days b.forc 
by the Peacock." Allowing this unarmed brig to liaee had twelve met?, 
nnd deducting fioni the Peacock's crew of one hundred and ten, five men 
killed and fou; e?raped,will leave 1§7 for (h'^ crew of fheHornt-t; which is 

*Firyt Lieatenant of die Vlcloiious when -shq too.'v t'lw Hivoli. 



,50 ,, 

■ju^t (he Bumbei' she was staletl to have had iiv I he Brtirifi. 
" Tiie Pcacociv," savs Captain Lawrence, " was fle»ervedJr 
styled one ot'tiie finest vessels of her class in the British navy, f 
sliould judge her to be about the tonuai^e of the Hornet, Her 
beam was greater bj fivtt inched, but her; extrcnis lengtli not so 
great by four feet." 

Fortunately, the dimensians of our ships of war Can be detained 
from the Admiralty-book^-, with facility and correctness ; thereby 
tMiabling us to refute, in the most positive terms, the mi^represen- 
talions of the Americans. None of our cighteen-i^un brig^s are in- 
tended to exceed 381 tons. The variation ofonn inch in the ex- 
tromc breadth, and of ivrelve inches in the rako of the 5tern-[jo&t, 
willcauseall the difference to be discovet'cd between them. 

The dimensions of the Hornet v/iil be found in the tabic. She 
is a much finer vessel than the Wa?p ; and sails remarkably well. 

During the action between the Peacock and Hornet, .U Espiegtc 
brig, of similar force to the Frolic, was lying becalmed under the 
land ofDemarara; and,theAmerican3 S3y,witnessed the engagement, 
[ A court-martial hassineebeen holden at Portsmouth, on Captain 

John Taylor of L' Espiegh., at the instance of the Admiralty. A- 
mojig the char^jjes preferred, was one for •" failing in his duty, when 
ill pursuit of the Hornet American sloop, Kfter the capture of the 
Peacock'' ; and another, for " neglecting to exercise the ship's 
I company at the great guns." Of the first. Captain Taylor was ac- 
f[uitted ; of the latter, and some others, he was found guilty, and 
dismissed the service, recomnjended, however, owing to his former 
services, " to the favoi-ahle consideration of the Admiralty." 

" iNeglect to exercise the ship's-company at the great guns" was 
not (Confined to JL' Espiegle. The Peacock had attended so little to 
that, and so much to having every thing oa the deck smart and 
bright ; that the rotten state of the brecchings, under the fine white 
lining near the rings, was first discovered by the guns breakin-^- 
Io9S?, and wounding the rne.Ji at their stations ! When wti con- 
trust with this, the high ordei for fighting iu whicli the Hornet was, 
and the admirable gunnery displayed by her crew, (the effect of 
proper diijciplincj) wo feel con:^oled in refiecling, that Die Peacock 
did not encounter a ship, her acknowledged equal in force. 

Captain Lawrenjce took advantage of aiiotliar fortunate event,that 
occurred to tlie Hornef upon this crliize. We allude to that ship's 
|, challenge to the' Bo/ine Citoi/(Hwe, and its non-acceptance. Coiu- 
' inodon^ Iiyinbridj.^e, in hii public letter, says, " The Boiwc Citoj/- 
f nnc is a larger vessel, and ofgreater force in guns and men, than 
the Hornet ; and J consider the refusal of Captain Greene to meet 
»he Hornet, as a victory giiintd by the latter vessel." 

'J'he n-ict was this. The Bonne CUoijenne was lying in St. Salva- 
dor, wi!h half a njillion storling, in spocic,on board; which she hud 
brought from (lio-de-la Plafa ; and with which she would 
pr©cet?d t© Ajigiand,' the iHcment her commander u'as assur- 



m 

led, that the Congtitulion and Ffornet were away from the coa't. 

The three ships were laying- in harbour together ; and the nature 
of the Hoime Cildj/e?i/H'^» c.ar2:o, was perfectly understood by the 
American merchants (of which the consul was one) at St.Sals ador. 
The oflicers also must havt; known, that it was impossible for Capt. 
Cireene to land the specie, and neglect tlie service upon which im 
was expressly ordered, to s;ratifv Commodore Ijainbrid^e with the 
sight of an engagement between the two aloops, Tlie American 
commanders, hov,e\et, p;i/essed, shrewdly enough, what fame the j 
should acquire, at home, by making- the experiment. 

Mr. Hill, the American consul, had always been notoriously hos- 
tile to the British ; and that he should be ungenerous enough to re- 
duce a British otticerto the necpssity of rolusirig,under any circum- 
stances, to meet a ship of his own cla«?, created no surpHsc; what- 
ever, liut who could expect that two national officers, aware of 
the delicate situati<)n in which a brother-officer, though u political 
enemy, was placed, would hv-we urged (he unhandsome request ; 
much leas, have triiiaiphed over the answer, which they knew it was 
his duty to ieturn. 

Captain f>avvrence"s bba^t of the Tlornei haviag blockaded (he 
Ptonne tilui/tnne, and a packet, until tuc jiontagiie 7i chaced her 
olF, souirtltd veiy well, no doubt, in the cars oi his countrymen ;, 
hut what assuraiice had Captain Greene that tke Constitution was 
jiot cruizing In the ofdng. l^^h^ Bonue Citujje7iHe\you\i\ have been 
a rich prize, indeed ; and her commuiander most justly laughed at, 
had he become the dupe of ko shallo\t^ an artifice. 

The two vfesiels were equally matched. The British ship niotmt- 
ed the same number of carrouades as the American, and two lonej 
sixes itistead of twelves, She had abont twenty fi\e men le?-- ihqiJi 
the Hornet : but her cvew had been exercised at thft guns : wore 
well disposed: and commanded Cy a gallant oftice'i'/'' 

Without making the unpleasant avowal, that iiis'governrne-ithail 
upon this occasion reiluood the \esf*el he commandet!, from a King's 
cruizer to a merchant-ship^ Captain Greene transmit-i, through the 
kands of Mr, I'rcderick LandoQitin, the British consulj a very pro-, 
per reply to the challenge ;wherpin lie 'says, " lam vqnally con- 
vinced that Comruodore Sainbrldgb could not swerve so mach front 
the paramount daty he owes to his country, as tobi corue an inactive 
spectator, and see a diip belonging to the very sijuadron under hi.^ 
Ord-ers tall into the hands of an enemy. T!ii> reason operates pow- 
erfully on my mind tor not exposing tlic Donne C'itoyenne tna ri=k^ 
upon terms so maiatestly di',;atlvantageoLt-» ui those proposed by 
(Jommodore lirtinbridge ; indeed, liolhing could give me greater 
satisfaction than complying witji the wishes of Captain Lawrence; 
and 1 earnestly hope that chame ^vill aiforJ him nn opportunity or' 
mueiing the li'jnne (Ttoyeniio unJi-rdi'ilercjiit circuin>t.i)H;e-i, to enn- 
ble hiai to distinguish liim.'elf i> tha mirtn'?!' life is'no:" so desirou-? 
of doing." • • . • . 



• * 

(G) 
DOMINICA and DECATUH, imy. 

Carried by boarding, after a ticsperate r»i:si^tance of ojie hour. Thougli 
nearly double in numbers, the boarders were twice repulSed. Whcnjat lastj 
they did succeed iu getting upon the Dominica's deck, hor galiar.t Uitls 
band struggled hard with them for scTeral minutes. The following is ex- 
tracted from the enenay's detail of the action : 

,'*Th? Dominica not being able to disengage herFolf, dropped alongside ; 
audit was in this position that Captain Diroti ordered his whole crow to 
board, armed with pistols, sabres, &c. which order was executed with the 
promptness of lightning. Fire-arms now became useless, and the crews 
irere fighting, hand to hand, with cutlasses, and tbrotiing cold shot ; \Uien, 
the captain of the enemy and the principal offRers being killed, tlic deck 
Covered with dead and wounded, the English colours were hauled down Ly 
the conquerors." 

'" The surviving officers of the Dominica, attribute the loss of their ves- 
sel to ilie superior skill of the Decatur's crew in the use of musketry, and 
th3 masterly mancsHvring of that vessel, by which the Dominica's carriagt- 
guns were rendered nearly usetess." 

" Lieutenant Barrette was a youi'ig man of not more than 2.; years of 
age. He had l)cen wounded early in. the action by two mu';ket-haUs in the 
ieft arm ; but he fought till the last moment^ refusing to suirender his vti- 
sel, although urged by fhe f'-w survivors of his cre.y to do So, declaring 
Iiis determinatiou not to ;;uiv!ve her loss. One of the Decatur's lieutenant'; 
received a severe gabre-wound in the hand ffom liim, a ft>w minutes bifotc 
he fall." 

'''Ca[)tarn Dhon is a Frenchman, and mot.t of the officers and crew of his 
te?»e! are his countrymen." 

" The crew of the Dominica, with the exception of eight or ten boys, 
iverc finc-looLiiii; voung meu. Amon:^ the boys is a small oCiC, not eleven 
years old; ^vUo v/as twice wounded, while contending for victory upon her 
deck." 

Here was a pronll^ing sprout ! — Will any one say this little fellow was 
not fitter for" Ihrovving dumps., tiian '•cold shot": Vet the Dominica hsd 
eight or nine iao»'-, of nearly the same age ; and not a ship in the navy, but 
has too great a proportion of them. 

The Dominica lost tliiiteen killed, and forty seven wounded ; total CO. 
Amf.ng the nun-iber, wore nearly the wliole of her otliccr-^. The Decatur 
lost four killed, and sixteen wounded, total '20. 

ItappcMrs thatthe King's packet, i'rince«:s Charlotte, uiilcli had sailed 
from St. 'Ihopiiip, under convoy of the Ddminica, rennined an inactive 
spectator of tiic !)loody combat. 

The British otlicers and crew are, in (his action, allowed credit for their 
gallantry ; but Americans neither fought tin battle, nor pei\ned the ac- 
count., iti.s only bccausi* the piiyateer's Ihi^ wdj Ai-oerican, that llieactiijn 
appears in these i'a-ges. 



55 



01.) 
BOXER and ENTERPRISE. 



ThU was a >vtll-rontcstod artioii, of forty five minutes ; fought close la- 
i!jore, upon tlio eastiTii coast of (he United States. The Briliah coaunaad- 
ler fell b}' the first broadside : and the Boxer's main-top-inast was skotaway 
hOrtn afterwards. 

The Eutcrprise, by her very ?iipcnor sailing, and the loss of her adver- 
sary's mast, was enabled to obtain, in fifteen minutes after the firing com- 
menced, a raking position on the Boxer's bow ; and which position she 
r'VTintained throughout the action : using her buck-shot and langridge 
with destructive eiieet. ■■ ( 

Singular indeed it \y&uld" ])e, "were an American account of a battle, 
free from ?o;ne bombastical expressions. FroDi the "particulars" of this- 
r.rtion, forwarded to a new spapcr-editpr by the American officers, we select 
the t'ollowing : 

" We manccuA red to-windward until 2 P, M. to try our sailing with the 
enemy, and ascertain his force. At 3 ]^., Al. tacked and bore up for tht? 
enemy.,, taking hifji to be one of 11. M's bjigs of the largest size." 

Tha Amsrican, then, manoeayrcd to ascertain, not if the Boxer was too 
strong for hini, but whether or not she \vas sulliciently superior in size and 
force to be worth engaging : and it was only on '• takirig her to be one of 
H. M's brigs of the largest bizcj" that this valiant foe determined upon tht; 
assault. — \Vell said, lieclpr ! 

The Boxer was much cut up in hull and spars. She lost her gallant 
commander, Captain Samuel BIylh, and three men, hilled j four mortally 
wouuded, and thirteen severely and slightly ; total 21. 

The Eiiterprise suffered a good deal in spars and rigging ; and in Iier 
hull likewise, although uot admitted. She lost one man killed ; hei: 
commander, who was a brave officer, a midshipman, and one seansan n\6v- 
tally, and trn cthcis severely, wounded; total 14. The three mortally 
wounded died a few hour? after the action. Of those with " slight hurts" 
we have no account : they probably amounted to six or seven, atlea^t. 

The Boxer, v. hen she fiist arrived on the North-American station, had ten 
<!tighteen-pounder carioiiades, and two sixes ; but she obtaintd two addi*- 
iioHal eightcens at Halifax. No vessel in the service below a first-class 
brig, carries a.boat-earronads ; conaequeRtly, fourteen w qjo all the f unu 
the Boxer mounted. 

C!un-brigs ur<\ allowed but oije lieutenantj a mjjster's mate, and two mid- 
shipmen. The Boxer's surgeon, the two niidshipmen, and eight sailors 
were ab'cnt : a'. hich reduced her complement of men and boys to C6. Oil 
thedeatli of her eommaiidcr, the want of ellicers was most sensiiblv felt. 

The, prisoners received from the Boxer, including the four mortjilly 
v.'onnded, amounted to sixty two ; wliich, added to the fodr killed, at once 
iscertiiined her complement. Tht lirst American account, hov.ever, wag, 
■ ht' ■;'hc:':^f( ^'* T^'bn with ■■•' 1 !r>rt'>-ed nieu :" ef which lOi wtre in the 



action; her ki'ileJ, estirftatcd at fortj'- two, having hern all, excepi 
four, " hove overboard." 

Coainiodore Ilullcondo>cendedta go on board the prize, to count 
her hammocks ; and finding ninety,* writes Commodore Buinbridge, 
that he has " no doubt she had lOQ mm on board" ; at the same 
lime adds, " ^vc find it impossible to get at the nnmber killed." 

J.ieutenant M'Call, who writes the official letter, is a little bolder 
r/ii that point. He says, — " It appears there were between twenty 
and twenty five killed, and fourteen wounded." '] his fixed the 
Uoxer's complement at 84 ; and so it would have remained, had 
not a provoking " gentleman of the first respectability from Port- 
land" furnished the editor of the i\>wburv-port Herald, with a 
correct account of the Boxer's guns, men, tonnage, and loss in 
the action. 

The Enterprise mounted two eig1it<?en- pounder cnrronades more 
than the Boxer; and nines insteatl of sixes. It has been asserted 
that her carronades were Fremh ,- which would encrea^e the Calibre 
one eighth ; but we cannot depend upon the information. 

y\s to her couipleuu^nt of men in the action, it has been variously 
stated in the Ainerican pnperS; fi om 102 up to 125. The Nautilus, 
taken at the first ot the war, had 106; Vixeuof 14 guns, ISO; Viper 
of l'^guns,93; flattlesnoke and Svren of J6gunseaGh, ISl and 157. 
We hi've therefore no scruple in fixing the Knterprise'screwat 125; 
and tke!>e, as usual, were picked 'jeamen, with scarce a l^oy among 
them. She had two lieutenants besides her commander ; ' the same 
as ojjf eighteen-gun brigs, 

Between the t\^o vessels,considered as ships of war, a far greater 
divpurity existed, than between the numbers of their crews. (Jf 
ail classes of his Majesty's ships, none surely are so truly worthless 
as the ."un-brigs. In point of sailintr, the dullest merchantmen 
are their equals ; and aslo means of derpnce,they are literally with- 
out bulwarks to shelter the men, even from musketry. The Boxer 
]»ni! (lue timber between each port ; tiic intermediate space consist- 
ing of inch and a quarter board ! 

( oHimodorp llwll, in his letter to Commodore Bsinbridge, ex- 
pressed himself miivhtily pleased with the '' quarters"of the Box-, 
cr ; and the way in which she was " fitted up." "Who would 
belio\e the navTl commander alluded soielv to her state-room?,, 
and the accommodations t^ir her ofncers ? His praises would have 
applied just as well to a Uhode-lsland packet. When a British 
ofiicer speaks of a ship's? qiiarters, he conteui.piates room fur fitrht- 
inj^ her guii^, and height and stoutness of bulwarks : but perhap.s. 
■ ihccomn)od(>re, as in iiis description of the Gucrricr^, preferred 
.imliiguity to precision. 

The I'utci pri^e, although not a first-rate sailer among Americar>. 
•?hips, had been 'haced, in vain, by several of onr frigates; and once^ 

•fa o!ir f.-ficr, tlip bo?l wrin i*. bvuh'W ajlowr'l Iwo tor pich innn. 



when iu cempany with th.o RattlesnaJce, by the Morgianfi, ship-sloop, of 
sixteen twenty-four'-pounder carronades, and two long tweltu^g. 

The bulwarks of the Enterprise are equal in thickniH^, and far superior 
in compactness, to those of our first-slass brigs. She had been a jchooner; 
but, soon after the declaration of war, was cut in two, lengthened, and con- 
verted to a brig. Not havioj^ the dimensions of tlie Enterprise's masts and 
yards, those of the Nautilus (now the Emulous) may serve f«r coinparibou 
with the Boxer's. They will be found in the table of dimensions. 

The court-martial that sat upon the surviving olEcers and crew of the 

Boxer, were of opinion,, that her capture was attributiblo " to a superiority 

of the enemy's force, principally iu the number of meu; as well as to a 

greattr dtgree gf ihtU'tnihe dircS'ion oj her fire ^ and the destructive effects of 

hsr lirst broadside." 

We regret to observe, that the sentence pointedly charges a quarter-mas.-- 
ter, doing duty as master's mate, and three seamen, with "deserting their 
quarter; during the action.-' 

The editor of the " Naval History of the U. S." declares, " the Boxer 
was in every respect superior to the Enterpuse ;''* and when he treats upon 
the " loss of theBritish iu vjissels," and the "comparative loss in killed and 
wounded," places apposite to the Boxer's name, "guns mounted IS" — 
" British loss 39." In a subsequent page, Mr Clark introduces a '♦ list of 
British vessels captured, extracted from Nile's Weekly Register." There 
our risibility is excited, by reading, " His Majesty's line brig of war 
Boxer, of 18 guus."t — Where shall we find so good a satire upt,ii th^ Boxer, 
and her late sister Graces ? 

The Attierican goverument, appear to have more justly appreciated the 
character of the prize ; being contented with reiuii^iag hei; nanje only, a;- 
mong the national vessels. When the Boxer mus pat up at auction, her 
dumpish Appearance caused several to exclaim,—^' Whata grand cargo she'll 
stow; — she would make a grand company-keeping vessel, in a fleet of «oi- 
liers.'— Here are qualities for one of Lis majesly's iloops of war 1 



LAKE»EI11E ACTION. 



■ ■M 



The command of the British squadron -on Lake- t^rie had been refused hy 
Captain Mulcaster, oiiaccount of iiie exceedin^rly bad tijuipnuiit of the 
vessels. Captain Barclay was then appointed ; and,, with a lieutenant, 
surgeon, and nineteen rejected seaman of the ,OMt<i>ios^u4ili<>u, .he joijiud 
feis command in June 1813.' . - ' - 

*Vol. 1. p, 31?, , rVa!.:'. p. ■.'14. ^ 



3a 

Subsequently, ^fty three searuen of ihe Dover Iroop-shlp, \vri« 
sent to hiiii ; but then he had not more than one hiin<lrcd and fifty 
British seamen distributed among- hi» six vessels ; the rest of the 
men beinji^ Canadians and soldiers. 

The Detroit, the British flag-ship, had been latclj launched ; 
and to arm her, it became necessary to ftrip a neighbouring fort of 
its guns. Remoteness of situation, and difbculties of carriage, al- 
most insuperable, new that the Aniericnns had got the ascendancy 
on the lake, may aftbrd some pretext for the half-equipped, deplor- 
ably-manned state ofthe British squadron. But had not thirteen 
months elapsed, since ministers were in possession of tlic American 
declaration of war ? 

The fleet ofthe Americans, as they themselves informed us, uas 
equipped in the most complete manner. Drafts of picked seamen 
from the ships on the sea-board,were continually marching toLake- 
Erie ; and riflemen, in abundance, were easily procured from the 
country on its borders. 

In short, the American ships possessed all the advantages of a 
Iiome-atation ; while ours were many thousand miles from home ; 
shut up in waters nearly surrounded by hostile shores ; frotn which 
there was no retreat ; and to which no succour could arrive. 

On the ninth of September, Captain Barclay was lying in Am- 
herstburg with his little squadron, anxiously >vaiting the arrival of 
a promised supply of seamen. So perfectly destitute of provisions 
was the post, tfiat there was not a day's flour in store ; and the 
crews were then on half-allowance of many things. Impelled by 
dread of famine, the fleet sailed out, to risk a battle with the Ameri- 
can squadron, then cruizing off" the port. 

At day-light the next morning the enemy was discovered to lee- 
ward, tjaptain Barclay bore up for him ; but unfortunately, the 
wind suddenly shifted, and brought the American ships directly to- 
windard. 

At twelve o'clock, the Detroit commenced firing. At a quarter 
past twelve, the Lawrence, bearing Commodore Perry's flag, sup- 
pcrted by the Ariel and Scorpion, came to close action with her. 
The Niagara, supported aho by two schooners, engaged the Queen 
Charlotte; keeping so far to- windward, as to render the latter's 
twenly-four-poundercarronades entirely useless. 

The action between the Detroit, and the Lawrence, Ariel and 
Scorpion, continued with groat fury for two hours and a quarter, 
when the Lawrence dropped a:4tern; and soon afterwards struck. 

Previous to the surrender of the Lawrence, Commodore Perry 
left her, and proceeded on board tlie Niagara ; then perfectly fresh, 
f/om ha\ ing remained so far to windward. The Detroit was now 
a perfect wreck, principally from the fireof the long thirty-twos and 
tvienty-fours on board the schooners ; and, in attempting to wear, 
the fell oii board tlu; Queen Charlotte. The Lady Prevoai, armed 



3* 

with twelvf -pounder corronadei, was f»r to-lc«ward, witk her rud- 
der injured. The other three vessels, owing to th«ir size and arm- 
ament, are srarcely worth noticing-. 

'• The weather-gage," says Captain Barclay, "gave the enem^ 
a prodigioifs advantage, as it enabled them not only to choose their 
position, but their distance also ; which they did in such a manner 
as to prevent the carroiiades of the Queen Charlotte and Ladr 
Prevost from having much effect ; while their long guns did great 
execution, particularly against the Queen Charlotte." 

The Detroit and Hunter had no less than four different calibres 
among their guns ; vs hich were all on one deck. These guns were 
to be supplied with proper shot, and levelled at the enemy, by Ca- 
nadians and Koldiers, •' totally unacquainted with such service :" 
the few seamen dispersed among the fleet, having sufficient employ- 
ment in trimming sails, and manoeuvring the vessels. Never be- 
fore, surely, did a British squadron go into battle, so miserablj fit- 
ted out as Captain Barclay's ! 

The Detroit lost her first lieutenant, killed ; her gallant com- 
mander, and the purser, Mr. Hoftmeistsr, (who volunteeredhis »:er- 
YJces on deck,) dangerously wounded. The Queen Charlotte, her 
commander, killed ; her first lieutenant severtly, and a midship- 
man, slightly wounded. The Lady Prevost, her commander and 
first lieutenant, severely vrounded. The Hunter, her commander 
«everely, and a midshipRian, glightly wounded -. and th« Chippe- 
wa, her commander slightly wounded. A lieutenant of the Royal 
Newfoundland regiment,also,was killed in th« action. There were, 
•xclusire of officers, thirty-eight men killed, and eighty five men 
wounded. Total, killed and wounded, 13S. 

All the principal officers and their seconds. were,it appeari,aither 
killed or wounded ; and many of them, early in the action. Her« 
must have been encreased confusion, among ships so wretchedly 
inanaed. Yet the few British seamen behaved with their usual in- 
trepidity ; and the troops, with calmness and courage. 

Captain Barclay had previously lost one arm in the service of his 
country. The other arm was now completely disabled : a part of 
his thigh cut away by a cannon-shot ; and h@ had five oth«r wounds 
in dift'erent ])arts of his body. 

On l)oard the enemy's brig,the Lawrence, a lieutenant of marines, 
and a midshipman, were killed : the first lieutenant and purser 
wounded ; total, killed and wounded, 83. The Niagara and otiier 
vessels los^, altogether, in killed and wounded, according to the 
American returns, 40 ; making a total of 1?3 ; only twelve less 
4han ours, uotwithstauding the immense disparity of force. 

The Dt'trolt mounted two tvventv-fours, one rii- hteen. six twelvet. 
and eight nines, long guns; and one tw«nt>-four,antl one eighttea 
5»ounder carronade ; total 19. We have considured the long 
'ighteen as a ihiftinggun : and included it m th% broad*id«. 



38 

The Queen Charl»tte mounted three long twelves, and fourteen twenty- 
four-pouiider carronades. One long twelve we hare considered as shifting. 
The Lady Prevost mounted three long nines, and ten twelve-pounder car- 
ronades ; one long nine considercdas shifting. The Hunter mounted two 
sixes, fo\ir/oKrj-, iwotjuos, long guns; and two twelve-pounder carronades. 
The other two vessels mounted the same as specified in the table ; their 
guns Ij-^-ing all fought upon the broadside. 

The Lawrence and Niagara mounted exactly double the armament spe- 
riSed in the table. The guns of the seven remaining American vessels, tra- 
■vpr = ed upon pivot-carriages, go as to ha fought on either broadside ; and 
therefore, like the Little Belt and Chippewa's, appear wholly in the tabl*. 

TheBritish fleet consisting partly of ships, and th(i American of only brigs 
and s<h»oncrs, may give rise to an opinion, that the former were superior 
in size. So far from it, theLiwrence and Ni;igara,were each f«rty tent larger 
than the Detroit ; the largest vessel in our fleet. Of what size American 
schooners, or even gun-boats, frequently are, will appear by a reference to 
the table of dimensions 

This bt'in;^ an action between more than two vessels, the united t®nntg« 
«n each side is, however, of little consequence. Nor does the relative 
r.nmerical force in men, afford a true estimate of force ; as the bulk of 
the British crews consisted of persons "totally unacquainted with such 
service." In both long guns and carronades, the Americans had a de- 
rided advantage in the superiority of individual calibre ; supposing even the 
j^Toss weight of metal on each side, to have been tjie same. But, instead 
of that, an excess actually appears on the American side, ©f two to one. 

•Commodore Perrj begins his first official letter in the style of Nelson : 
" It has pU^ased the Almighty to give to the arms of theUnited States, a 
pignil victory over their enemies on this lake." His second letter, which 
is very artfully drawn up, details the action. He says, " Finding thei^r 
Tire very destructive owing to their Ung guns, and its l)eing mostly directed 
at the Lawrence, I made sail, and directed the other vessels to follow, for 
the purpose of r losing with the enemy." 

Would any one from the foregoing statement infer, that, beyond three 
twelves, afew nines, sixes, /earj, and Iwor, no " long guns" wfere oa board 
any British vessel but the Lk^troit; that she carried only three long guns (tvo 
eightsens and one twenty-four) which were heavier than a twelve-pounder ; 
and that Commodore Perry's own squadron fought in broadside, three long 
thiFty-twos,and five long twenty-fours ? Ave we not compelled to say, that 
this "• modest" American commander, has here been g^uilty of a gross mis- 
repre»,entation ? 

The commodore admits the Lawrence struck her flag after he left her ; 
and adds, " But the enemy was not able to take possession of htr, and cir- 
cumstances soon permitted her flag again to bo hoisted.** 

In transmitting "astatcmcntof the relative force of the contending fleets," 
tlie commodore is quite satisfied with enumerating the guns on each sidff. 
It was palpably evident, that 63 vas a higher number than 64 ; and the 
Amerifun commander lind no doubt fully asc(!itained, by his skill in figures, 
that ho should obtain a murli less favourable result, were he to particular- 
ize the calibre. Suf)pose a British vessel, armed with t(?n guns, /a/o-poun- 
dors, had been captured by an American vessel, armed, like the Siorpion, 



39 

«itJi two guBS on pivots ; and those a long thirty-two and t>re«ty-fd.ur-. 
pounder. According to Commodore Perry's mode of cstirjsating forcp, th« 
former would be snpcnor to the latter as 5 to I ; Avhon, in reality, the su- 
periority of force would be on the opposite side, in the same proportion. 

A book has just been put into our hand?, published at New- York, by 
" John Low," entitled, '*an impaitial and correct history of ths war. Sec. 
— carefully sompiled from ofticial documents." We are no longer unable 
to comprehend the meaning of a passage in the " criticisin," ushering into 
notice the •' Naval History of the U. S." which passage runs thus : "It 
(the N. H.) deals not in set, wholesale paneg} ric, OTerloads its various sub- 
jects \fiih HO fulsome flattery, nor stoops to worm its way into the favour 
of the country by adulation of its heroes, — adulation which the fame o£ 
such gallant men stands not in need of, and from which theirgood sense and 
spirit would recoil with disgnst." 

We do pronounce Mr. Clark's work, a far more modest performance thaa 
Mr.Low's ; uor can we give a prettier spscimen of the latter, than in citing 
the author's remarks upen the Lake-Erie victory : — " Hitherto we have 
seen the enemy beaten, ship to ship, but now we were to witness them fleet 
to fleet ; and a more decisive or splendid victory was never achieved. Com-» 
pared with this, all former naval victories lose their splendour; even the 
great Nelson, were he alive, must rank below Perry. — Nelson never cap- 
tured an entire fleet ; Ptrry has, and that with a fleet inferior in size, weight 
cf metal, and number of men."* 

We have often been told, that th» natives of New-England were agrav«; 
sober, and pious people ; and rather frieodly, than otherwise, to the British 
nation. 

Were a southern democrat to persist in a flagrant falsehood against the 
British, the best excuse that could b« offered for him, would be, a constitu- 
tional warmth, an ardent zeal in whatever he undertook, the eifect« of the 
«limate under w hich he lived. Were a cool, dispassionate Roston-feJeralut 
to commit a similar otFence, what would be his excusi; ? 

Individual declamation we should scoin to notice, but have not the 
" citizens of Boston," by a vote unanimously given, caused to be en-^raved 
©n tablets of silver, that " a very supkuior Buitish force on Lake-Erie, 

WA^ E-«»TIIiELY SUBDUED BY CoMMODOUE O. H. 1'eJIRV."? To their dis- 

grac», as moral characters, the Boston citizens have done so ; even whea 
the force of the British squadron, in moi and guns, and every other par- 
tricular attt^ndjng the action, were fully in their possession. 



(K) 
EPERVIER and PEACOCK, 

The Epcrvier was driven on shore in Halifax-harbour, in the gale of the 
I2th of November, 1813; aud, owing to so many shins of Arar of higUn 

*to\','s Mist, of the war. p. 115. 



40 

rates than herselfhaving also Suffered upon that occasion, i-emalned 
some months unrepaired. In the mean time, most of lier men were 
drafted into other ships ; and she had afterwards to take for a crew, 
foreignerSjConvalescents from tlie hospital, and refuse of every kind. 
With a complem«nt, so made up, amounting to eighty-six officersj 
seamen and marines, and sixteen bojs, the Epervier left Halifax, 
early in March, for Jamaica. 

]No British official account of this action having been published, 
we are again compelled to rely for information, chiefly upon the 
statement of the Americans. 

Jn her way back to Halifax, with 120,000 dollars, in specie, on 
board, in lat'. 2^7° 47' N. long. 80° 9' W., the Epervier encountered 
the U. S. ship Peacock. An action ensued, which lasted, accord- 
ing to Captain Warrington's letter, forty-two minutes ; when the 
Epervier, having five feet water in the hold, her raain-top-mast o- 
ver theside, main-boom shot away, fore- mast cut nearly in two, and 
tottering, fore-rigg-ingand stays cut away, bowsprit badly wounded, 
and forty fivo shot-holes in her hull, twenty of which were within a 
foot of her water-line, surrendered. 

Many of theEperrier's crew, in proof of their worthless character^ 
behaved, during the action, in a cowardly manner ; and, as if that 
was not enough to ensure defeat, with a ship even of equal force, 
the bolts connecting the caVronade-slides to the side of the vessel, 
drew, it is said, as soon as the guns were iir«d ! Could this fatal ac- 
cident have happened, had a few shot, by way of exercise, been pre- 
viously fired ? Another misfortune attended the Epervier. A want 
of unanimity existed, where the utmost harmony should hare pre- 
vailed, — between the commander and his officers. 

The Epervier lost, according totheAmerican account, eight men 
killed, and fifteeti wounded, (partly, no doubt, by the breaking loose 
of the guns,) total, 23. Among the latter, was her first lieuteaant. 
•A brave and good officer, whose left arm was amputated. 

Considering the state of the Epervier 's guns, alone, we cannot 
be surprised, much us we may regret, that her opponent escaped, by 
Captain Warrington's account, in the manner she did. " This," 
(the disabling of a fore-yard,) says he, " with a few top-mast and 
top.gallant back-stays cut away, and a few shot through our sails, 
58 the only injiu-y the Peacock has sustained. Not a round shci 
touched our hull; our masts and spars are as sound as ever." — Iw 
addition, vre find,two of thePeacjck's men were "slightly wounded" 1' 

The ICpervier mounted originally the same as the Frolic ; but 
Captain Wales got exchanged at ilalitax, her two long sixes and 
boiit-gun, for two eightecn-pounder carronades. The American 
prize-master called the whole " eighteen thirty-two pounder car- 
ronadvs ;" and tlie newspaper-editors added t\>o long guns. 

daiuaica is not celebrated for augmenting the complements of 
»hini-; but we believe the Eporviur had as ujany passengers oi» 



41 

board, as iTiatle her's amount to 109. Passengers, if not attached 
to the service, arc invariably an incumbrance to a ship in action. 
To prevent cavilling-, however, \re shall continue to estimate them 
as part of the complement. 

Double the guns specilied in the table, composed the armament 
cf the Peacock. As to her complement of men having been upwards 
of 182, we have that confirmed by persons subsequently captured 
by her. We believe the complement of this class of vessels is 171 ; 
b\it American commanders are allowed to take on board, supernu- 
meraries ;thc number of which depends more, we understand, up-^ 
en the captain's industry in procuring them, and the character of 
the ship for sailing, than upon any express order from the navy- 
board. 

A patriotic writer from Savannah, into which port the prize was 
carried, furnished a newspaper-editor with " the dimensions of the 
two vessels." By measuring from the head to the taff-rail, he makes 
the Epervier's " length 107 feet." For her " breadth S2 feet," 
he must have extended his line beyond each main-chain. Her 
'•depth 14 feet," we presume he guessed at. With these figures be- 
fore him, he makes her, " tons 467-73-93ths." The gentleman 
was aware of the advantage of adding fractions to his estimate. The 
Peacock, be appears to have measured on deck ; and,deductingth« 
odd inches, states her to be in "length 118 feet."* He contracts 
her breadth (according to the American plan of mea«urement) one 
foot exactly, calling it the same as the Epervier's, 32. Her depth 
he also ma'kes the same; and states her to be " 509 tons ;" which, 
as her American measurement, is correct enough. 

This flattering item of Hews,spread like wild-fire through all the 
papers.from Georgia to Maine. What was a difference of 42 tons ? 
Without answering for the stretching qualities which the Eper- 
vier might have acquired under her new masters, her dimensions, 
precisely as they were when she quitted cur service, will b« found 
in Table 7. Her American tonnag:e, instead of467-75-95 tons,wat 
only 344:-50-95ths ; as Captain Warrington's carpenter,could hav« 
informed the Savannah scribbler. 

As by the capture of the President,we gained a knowledge of the 
American forty-four's, so the capture of the Frolic-corvette has ac- 
quainted us, thoroughly, with Mr. MadisoB « new eighteen-gun 
sloops. 

The Frolic, Wasp, Peacock, Argus, (burnt at Washington,) Erie, 
and Ontario, were built,we understand, from the same model ; and 
measure, within a to« or two of each other. 

Tke Frolic-corvette, has eleven ports and a bridle on each side : 
with bulwarks as thick as a32-gun frigate's, and much better filled 
up. Her jjeams are stouter than those of a 58-gun frigate. The 

*Tlie Frolic* deck is 11$ ftet, 9 inches. 



42 

$ize of the Peacock's spars, aad (he immense advaifage vhich marines m 
her tops must hare over those stationed in a brig's tops, will appear, at 
once, by a reference to the Frolic's diraensions. as given in the table. 

The Epervier's first cruize in the American service pr«ved fatal to hef. 
It is conjectured, she foundered at sea; becoming the gray a, unfortunatelvj 
of about one hundred and fifty souls. 



(L) 
BALLAHOU and PERRY, priv. 

This was an actiou of one hour. In some of the American papers i£ 
vas stated, that the Ballahou had only two guns mounted ; the others, 
owing to bad ^reather, having been placed in the hold. The loss on either 
kidc is not accurately kaown. 

American prifateers of 5 or 7 guns, one on a pivot, (generally a long 
eighteen or twenty-four-pounderj) arc far superior vessels, t« such as Me 
arm with 12 or 14 guns. 

The Harlequin schooner, of which the dimensions are giten in the table- 
mounted ten long twelveE, Mith sights to every gun ; and had a ccrople- 
ment of 115 men. Her bulwarks were a trifle stouter, and four inches high- 
er, than those of our tirst-slass brigs. What krhooncr have we ever had ia 
the service, of half the Harlequin's force ? — The ^lainmoth, and some others 
in Amsrica; arc stated to be larger than she is. 



(M) 
REINDEER and WASP, (2). 

This actiott was fought ia lat. 48* 36' N. long, 11* 15' \T. No British 
official account has been published. ^Jlt. Low, the American war-histori- 
an, says, *' the action commenced at twenty six minutes after 3 P. M. and 
ut forty five minutes pasts, the enemy Mas carried by boarding.*'* Another 
American account, states the action to have lasted '" forty minutes ;" and 
we know, that during fifteen minutes, the two vessels were engaged, yard- 
a,nn and yard-arm. " For the short time it lasted," says Mr. Low, '•'the 
action wai severe ; and both vessels and crews sufitred censiderably. The 
loisen bwardthe Wasp was principally occasioned by repelling the CQcWy 
ia two attempts which he made tJ bC'U/d."^ 

*LoWi U^t, efthc war, p. 261. 



4^ 

An action close as this v,a.ii, gare full .sco[30 toAnicrkan liflci, langridfic^ 
swanand star-shot, iron bolt?, and dismaidling artillery of every sort. Tiiu 
Reindeer fooii became a perfect wreck in hull and rigging ; lo much so, that 
the Americans were comptdled to destroy h(;r the next morning. 

The brig lost her commander, purser, and twenty one petty officers, sea- 
nicii rnd marine?, killed ; ten dangeroasly, seventeen severel}', and fifteen 
slightly, wounded ; total 75. Among the wounded, was every individual 
oflicer on Ijoard ; and she was actually Rurrendered by ths captain's clerk, 
no higher ollicer being in a state to perform the melancholy task. 

Captain Manners received as many as seventeen wouudj. — The Calves 
of liis legs were shot away early in the action ; yet did he keep the deck, 
encouraging his crew, and ariin^^ating by his exsimplo the few olficers that 
were on board. A shot now passed through both his thighs. lie fell on 
his knees ; but quickly sprung up, and though bleeding profusely, resoluta- 
)y refused to quit the deck. Perceiving the dreadful slaughter which the 
musketry in the enemy's tops was causing, iie called out to his men, '• Fol- 
low me, my boys, we must board them.'' While climbing into the rigging, 
two balls from the tops penrtiated his skull, and came out beneath his chin. 
Placing one hand on his forehead, the other convuIsivGly brandishing his 
sword, he exclaimed, — " O (iod I" — and dropped lifeless on his own deck. 

" To live with fame 
^ Tlie gods allow to many ; bnt to die 

Willi equal lustre, is a b'esbing Keaven 
Kflccts from all iLe choicest boons of fate. 

Aiid with a spr.vliig hand on few bestows." 

Glover, 

One of tlie Reindeer's men w'ds wounded in the head by a ramrod; wliicb 
required to be £awed off close to the skull, before it could be extracted. 
The man happily recovered. After receiving this desperate wound, he, al- 
«o, refused to go below ; saying to those who begged him to leave his gun, 
" If all the wounded of the Reindeer were as able to fight as I am, we 
should soon make the Americans strike." 

Is it not singular, that the cfTicial account of an a(*tion so truly heroic, 
so highly honourable to the British character, as that of the Reindeer and 
Wasp, should not have been deemed worthy a place in the Royal Gazette ? 

" Six round shot," says the American account, " struck the hull of the 
Wasp ; a twenty-four-pounder shot passed through the fore-mast ; and a 
considerable number of grape, struck, but did not penetrate, her side." Two 
of her carronades, also, were disabled. 

The same account admits, that she lost five killed, and twenty one wound- 
ed ; total 26. " Slight hurts," as usual, not reckoned. 

In short, the injury the Wasp sustained, sent her to L'Orient ; where she 
arrived on the Sth of July. She remained in that port, repairing her dam- 
ages, and replenishing her crew, until the ^Tth of August, a i>eriod of se- 
ven weeks ; when she again sailed on a cruize. 

Tier commander, Captain Blakely, has been d??ciibed to us as an hon- 
orable man, a;id a good oflicer. How much his character would have risen 
m onr estimation, had lie bestowed a few words upon the sufferings and be- 
haviour of his gallant adversary. 

.Tha R^:;ind>jr originally carried thirty-tvvc-pouader carronaJes ; but. 



41 

having; lost tliem in a p;a.]c, :ind being weak from ago, 0>">'f "f/''') 
in 1804,) thcj were replaced by the tTvcntj-fours she l)ad in the ac- 
tion. 

Ilor complcBiertt consisted of 123 men and ])oyr. ; but lier second 
lieutenant, a midshipman, and five seamen beins^ al)sent, she had, 
en commencing the action, only ninety eight men, and twen<y bojs ; 
total J 18. 

The Americans, to enhance their victory, styled her rrrtv "pick- 
ed wien." — Picked »-rew.s riie not known in onr navy ; but thelJein-r 
doer's men, by havinj^ served ?ome years, and bein<f under <he coiBr 
mnnd, not of a tyranaical oliicer, but of one, uiio wa? " the idol and 
dcli2:ht of his pliip'a conipany," Mere what Britons, we tru^t, will 
ever !>e, an over-match for an equ»l number of any men on earth. 

The armanient ofthe Wasp wa>^. the same as the Peacock's ; with 
l!ie addition of a twelve-pounder carrouade, fitted upon an elevat- 
ing carriao-e. Hor crow consisted of 175, selected in the u?ual man- 
ner ; including- 26 marine?, who, f.talioned in the tops, rommittcd 
with tbeir rifles, dreadful havock among the Reindeer's officers and 
men : at the t^To boardings-attempts particularly. 

The Wasp beiiio^, as stated in note (K), a sister-ship to llie Pea- 
rock and others, the particulars respecting tlie Frolic, ship-sloop, 
there ^iver»,* vvill fully suffice. The tonnage ofthe Reindeer was 
the same as the Pelican's ; therefore her name in the table may be 
referred to. 

'Tis only Gritish seamen that will board,when theencmr is known 
to out-nuniber them. Had the numerical diflerence between the two 
rrcwsinthis action, been a trifle less than it was, does any one 
doubt what would have been the fate ofthe Wasp ? 

Although, concealed behind ft ship's bulwarks, the traitor may 
evince the utmost ferocity, he dares not face his honourble country- 
man, hand to hand, and foot to foot. The sight appals him. He. 
that was once a lion in battle, now^ scourged by a guilty ccnpci- 
ence, shrinks into the veriest coward. 

Could we hope for a candid answer, we would ask Commodore 
Hainbridgje or Hull, or any other experienced naval commander of 
the United State?, whether, havir*:;- to e:vecute a dangerous and 
doubtful enterprise, ac:ainst an enemy, not IJritons, with the liberty 
of felecting his men, he would choose native or adopted Americans ? 

The American prints, especially the federal ones,will,wekno'.v,re- 
fer us to Avurican feats at Tripoli : but did not a notorious Scotch 
renes^adoat NcM-York, and numerous other crimps, supply the A- 
merican ships with lots of deserters from our n?vy ? Were not their 
complements afterwards made up, in a similar manner, at (.Jadiz,an(i 
diiierent ports in the Mediteranean ? and was not Commodore Prcv 
ble, on that very accoiuil, oblij^ed to, '.' shorten his stay" at Gibral. 
tar ; and to fix Syracuse, instead of Malta, for his rendezvous :+ 



45 

It Cannot bo Cbntrovertedj tbat in repelling boarders, Lovvtvcr 
?mall in number, the Awericans depend more upon rifles, thaji man- 
ual strength ; and that as boarders themselves, they seldom act, un- 
til the enemy's deck has been, like the Frolic's and Reindeer's, pre- 
pared tor their reception, by voUies of great guns and musketry. 

Here we had opposed to us, without estimatinj^- the total num- 
ber on either side, thirty-twos to twenty-four'^, and eightctns to 
sixes. When we turn to the table, and view the decided superior- 
ity of th« American ship, in broadside-weig^ht of metal, men and 
size ; then reflftct upon the execution done in spite ofthat superior- 
ity ; as well as upon the unparalleled devotion, intrepidity, and 
fortitude, di^^ulayed by the Reindeer's otTlcers and crew, we may 
Ventura to pronounce \his, on« of the noblest naval defences, that 
my war has produced. 



(N) 

LANDRAIL and SYREN, priv. 

This was a running fight of one hour and ten minutes, and a. 
close action, within pistol-shot, of forty minutes ; in all, two hours. 

The cutter had left port with dispatches ; which were throw n o- 
ver-board. She lost in the action, seven men wounded, but none 
killed. The privateer lost three killed, and fifteen wounded, in- 
cluding some officers ; totalis. 

Ilig^hly creditable was this very unequal contest, (in men four- 
fold,) to Lieutenant Lancaster, and his little boat's-crew ; and a 
convincing proof, that even two twelve-pounder carronades, if well 
pointed, can do execution. 

The Landrail was afterwards recaptured ; and, although pierced 
for two ^uns of a side only, she appears in a published American 
*' prize-list" as having mounted eight ; the Rallahou, in the same 
list, being provided w ith ten. 

How many British crwizerx like the Landrail, would it reciuire, 
to equal in force one of the American gun-boats, captured at New- 
Orleans ? 



(O) 

AVON and WASP. 

The AVasp, as we stated liefore, sailed from L'Orient, upon a 
f ruiz-.;, on tha 27tt of August, thoroughly retitteJ and uianuiid. 



4(i 

• 

On (lie first of Scplemhfr, about lialf past eight ia the CYcning, nnd a clcax 
moon-lishf, in lat. 4/° 36' Ion. 10° 37', site fell iu wilh the Avon l-rig. 

An action ensued ; vhicli continued, Me say, two hours and twenty 
minutes, (lift Americans, culy forty three minutes ; M'hen the Avon, being 
^o «'T[(remcly shattered in hull, as to be actually sinking, struck her l^ag. 

At this moniont, the Castilian brig hove in sight, and j)revent(ed the AVasp 
from taking possession. The Castilian passed within hail of the Avon ; 
and, although no extraordinary sailer, soon overiook the W^sp, -who was 
r.iakiiig. (he best sail she could, to get away. A s.igiial of distress, accom- 
paaied l.'v a gun, Avas now observed from the Avon. This induced C'aptiiin 
Jiremer, after tiring a broadside into the AVasp, which was not returned, to 
haal up for his sinking companion. He barely anived in time to rescue 
the surviving crew from a waiery grave ; the Avon going down, just as the 
last boat reached the Castilian. Chace was again given, and continued 
through the night, in tbe supposed direction of the VVa.sp ; but in vain. 

The AVasp fought more warily in this action, than in the Reindeer's. She 
never came fairly alongside, so as to give the A^on an opportunity of 
boarding; but kept hanging on her quarter. Her long eighteens assisted her 
greatly; and by her stir and chain shot, she effected the complete destruc- 
tion of ths brig''s rigging,as Avellas of the maiu-mast; which fell over the side 
early in the action. Four of the Avon's caironades, also, were disabltd. 
The Avon lost eight men killed ; her first lieutenant, and one seaman 
mortally wounded, and thirty tuo seansejiand marines scvcielyaud slightly, 
(principally the latter,) total 42. 

The Americans say, three shot pierced the Wasp's bulwarks ; and thsri 
f>he lost only two men killed, and one wounded. \Vc must hoe again 
make tbe usual allowanee, for such as are not in tiie rjeturns. 

The Avon's armament will appear l)y reference to the table. She had, 
it seems, no boat-can onade. Her crew consisted of one hundred and fou^ 
officers, F«amen and marine?, and thirteen boys ; total 117. 

The AVasp's armamett has already been given. 'i'hat she had a 

twclve-pounder-carronade on board, appears by the following extract 
from her log : "At twenty six minutes after nine^ lired the twelve-poundcr- 
carronade, to make him heave to." 

The constant intercourse kept up with the port of L'Orient, while the 
^Va?p was lying there, enabled us to {'.scertain, that Captain Dlakcly found 
so little difficulty in manning his f hip, as to have refused several who Aveie 
desirous to eidist. With the privilege of taking on board supernumeia- 
ries, it h tlierefore probable, that the VWnsp left IVOrient w ith more men 
than she had iu her lirst action. 

Great bravery was displayed by the Avon's cfTicers and ship's corripany, 
and a highly commendable skill in gunnery, wc must admit, by the VVas)t's. 
Nor did the Ciistilian's men give ])roors, that they at all excelled thcAvon's, 
in that, willi u^', much neglected branch of naval taili(s. 

The Americans say, in an equivocal manner, " At 36 minutes past ten^ 
two brigs in sight, when the\^'asp w;is compelled to relinquish hfr pii/e."* 
It is poLiti\rly asserted by the Avon':^ officers,th8t no oih<^r v< ascI than the 
Castilian appeared in sight, or wjis near the spot ; and if tlie AVasp was. 
sigain " jrn pared for action," how happened it that she did not return the 
pastil ian'b- broadside ? 

tLcWs Hist, oflhf war p, £62. 



47 

©ite of the Amnlcan oftlcors ;^nw so indislhictly throiioli tin? tr.oon-liflit, 
HS to have dpclarcd, in n letter Avhich has appeared in print, that the 
Avon M as " longer asid more lofty than (he Wnsp, and had eleven ports 
upon her side," For the size of either vessel, ^ve•a^« happily at no 1©^*;, 
The Avon's dimension'*, and ths Frolic's for the Wasp'*, will he found iu 
the table. IClevcn painted pcrts^ and sfimetimes anextra iifcoJin gun, may 
he seen upon the sides of a few of our brigs ; but none of this class, we re- 
peat, can fight nioru iiian nine guns of a side,exclusiv>j of the boat-carronade. 

The same oilicar assured his countryiv-cn, that, '■'• \\\u\ her preiont com- 
mander and cre\r, the Wasp could beat a 28-gun frigate." This rodo- 
montade was merely a paroxysm of the national disorder ; which, abroad 
as well at home, will have its retains.. We think the writer should have 
reserved hij boast, uutllthe Wai-phad conquered a force of acknowledgot? 
afjuality. 



(P) 

LAKE-CriAMPLAIN ACTION. 

Oar principal vessel on this lake, the Conrianco, had bceu but sixiefu 
ilays off the stosks ; when thu commander in chief, Sir George Prevett, 
called for the iustant co-operatien of the naval force, in a lieditated aU 
Kick upon the American fleet and Morks at Plattsbur^. 

No refusal csaV be given. With the carpenters still working at her, 
and having #11 board an unorganized crew, composed of several drafts of 
men, recently arrived from ditl'e rent ships at Quebec ; many of whom join- 
ed only the evening before, and were totally uukuown either to the oflicers, 
or to each other : b?ir!g also without gun-locks, or one half the necessary 
appointments of a ship of war, the Confiance sailed forllij accompanied by 
3 brig, two sloops, and eleven gun-boats, to attack the American lleet, 
consisting of a ship, brig, schooner, sloop, six row-gallies, and four gun- 
boats, fully prepared, and moored in their owu bay, within range of tiie 
batteries on shore. 

The crews of the British vessels were assured by their gallant command- 
cr, (hat the general and his powerful army w ould make a simultaneous al- 
tark ; andthat victory would (as no one could dowbt) crown their united 
efforts. For the honour of the soldiers, and the oSicers, in general, thty 
panted to rush forward ; but it was thought advisable to restrain tliem ! ! 

The mlslake was discever^d too lute. The British vessels were alread'y 
in the enemy's harbour. Unfortunately, too, a light air prevailed, which 
(uabled tlie American row-gallies and gun-boats to commence upon them 
in their advance, a heavy and galling fiie. 

The Confiance, the British flag-ship, having two anchors shot away from 
lier larboard bow, was obliged to awchor, not so advantageously as li.id 
been intendid. The Linnet'and Chubb took their stations; aed the actiou 
jp/'g-an, ' Th? latter vessel presently had her cables, bowsprit, nnd maift 



boom shot away ; and, drifting within th«eneinj'5 line, wasohJiged 
id surrender. The Fiiick had the luisfoi tunc to strike en a ret^t' 
t)t' rocks ; andhes" services in the action were entirely lost ; and 
the gun-boats, saya Captain Pring;, ir. his letter, " abandoned tiic 
object designed them." 

All the enemj's vessels but the Eagle, were now iinited against 
the Confiance ; who had lost her gallant conmiander, earlj^ in the 
action. The Saratoga's guns on the starboard side, being after two 
liour's etigagement, nearly all dismounted, or not nianygeablc, a 
stern-anchor was let go, the bower-cable cut, and the sljip winded 
with a fresh broadside on the British ship. The Confiance, having 
her larboard broadside in a similar situation, also made an attempt 
to wear round ; but, owing to the daniage she had sustained, did 
not succeed. Ueing now a perfect wreck, and having no guns to 
bear on the enemy, she,verj properly, made the signal of submission. 
The Linnet, ail this whilffj remained closely engaged with the 
Eagle ; (a very superior adversary ;) and at last compelled her to 
cut her cable, and run down for shelter between the ship and schoo- 
ner. The ship and two sloops being now in the enemy's possession j 
the ^v hole of the American force was directed again»t the Linnet ; 
which obliged the latter, in fifteen minutes after the surrender of 
the Confiance, to haul down her colours also. 

The Confiance lost her very gallant commander, CaptainDewnie, 
a captain of marines, a mid&hipman, and thirty eight seamen and 
marines, killed ; one officer, nnd thirty nine seamen luid marine?, 
wounded. The Linnet lost two officers, and eight seamen, Jiilled ; 
one officer, and thirteen seamen and marines, wounded. The 
Chubb, six seamen and nuxrine», killed ; one officer, fifteen seamen 
and marines, wounded. The Finch two seamen and marines wound- 
ed. Total, British killed and wounded, l'^. The fact of the gun-* 
boats having experienced no loss, is a itrong corroborative proof, 
that they were not engaged. 

Tho Americans acknowledge a loss as follows : " shij) Saratoga, 
Commodore Macdonouoh, twenty eight killed, and twenty nin« 
wounded. Brig Eagle,thirleen killedjand twenty wounded. Schoo- 
ner Ticonderoga, six killed, and six wounded. Sloop Preble, two 
killed. Gallies, three killed, and three wounded; total 110." Al- 
lowing, upon a very moderate calculation, that the "■ slight hurts'* 
amounted to nineteen more, the execution done by the British in 
this extremely unequal contest, provcsi with what gallantry and 
earnestness they fought. 

The statement of the force of the British vessels, (owing to Capt, 
Priu'', or perhaps Sir James Yeo, having accidentally omitted to 
enclose it in his letter,) we arc compelled to take from the Amc- 
riciin accounts. 

The Confumce moiinted upon hcrmaia-dick, twenty seven, what 
(hey are pleased to call, '• long guns ;" but which were in fact »im- 
i5jr to tho»;e the Aniffricaus took in the Changer transport ; and *uoh 



4§ 

el? we rail " Congrsve's -/'—a gun very little better than a carrca. 
ade. She had a poop and top-gallant-iore-castlr, \;pon which were 
monntod two long eighteens, and four thirty-two-pounder car- 
ronades :— Six twentv-foiir-ponr.der canonades were lying on 
" the birth-deck ;" hiit which the /American conirnodore tias had 
the modesty to include in her arniaiuont ; making her mount, alto- 
gether, 39 guns, instead of 3:3. Wr have conpidcred the odd main- 
deck gun as phiiiling ; and estimated it in the broadside. 

'J'he guns of the j.innet and Iwo sloop?, will appear ]>y tho fabler 
th? odd'eighteen-pounderand six in the latter, nre included in the 

broad iide. 

The iorceofthegan-boats is not exactly known ; nor ofthe i\- 
Bterican sloop Montgomery, wkiclt rendered as much assigtance in 
the action as they did. When arc also considered,, the destructive 
use to which the Ainerican land-batteries might have been put, in 
case of emergency ; and ihat " American militia ready to a*?ist," 
were posted on thesijore, it will surely be deemed ns fair to the 
Americau^i as the British, to consider the vessels actually engaged, 
as comprising the \^ hole force on each side. 

The amount of the united crews of the British vessels engaged, 
we are enabled to give from undeniable authority. The Americans 
estimated the crews of pur ship, brig, and tv/o sloops, at 500 ; and 
our loss in killed and wounded on l)oard those vessels, at J 94. 
Hy subtracting from the first number.theditferencebetwecn our real 
{jud supposed logs, there will remain 435. A subsequent American 
account says, ^' British prisoners received from Lake-Champlain, 
306."' Jn this amount, the wouHded, who had all been paroled and 
pent to Jsle aux Noix, would not of course l>e included. There- 
fore by adding the loss, 129, to SOfij the sum will lie also 435. 

The armament of the American squadron Avill appear by the 
table. The odd guns are, as iTSual, brought into tha broadside ; as 
well as all the guns ofthegallies and gun-boatS;0|i accoimtof their 
traversing upon pivots. 

We wiih the complements of the Arnericaia vessels, could be giv- 
en with tbe same accuracy. The Americans themselves have fixed 
them at 820; which, opposed to 1050, the estimated number of the 
British crews, (in the gup-boats and all,)!i!ade theAniericanSjWhat, 
by their own account, they usually are, inferior to us in force. 

It is very common for American naval officers, when asked the 
romplemerits of their ships, to give the number cf oflicers and ships 
company only, leaving the marines to be added. In furtherproof 
ihnt a distinction between the two services, however slight, does 
prevail, we find the American marine-ofTicers in the Lake-Cham- 
plain action, writing their own ollicial letters to government ; a 
l^liing unprecedented, we believe, in our navy. 

The estimate of the united crew."? of the American ship, brig, 
«!chooner, sloop, six row-gallies, and four gun-boats, as given in 
the table, is probably rathcr,below .the mark, when we consider. 



50 

Ikatllie Americans were lyinjj iii (heir ewii liarbcar, Gxpccting the al- 
tack; and had, by their own accbant, procured full coniplemeats for all 
thcii; vessels, upVvards of six weeks previous (o the action. 
■ ■ llja Tilative tonnage of the ^ontcpdiug. fleets, is in. this,. a3 in the Lakc« 
iKrio action, offarlcis consequence than liie, weight of metal and men. To 
give importance to their victory, however, the AaiericaHS frequently advert 
to *' the commodore's big ship Con-fiance ;" as well as t»^' the fearful odds 
©pposed to thorn." We caiinot give the dimensions of any of the vessels 
rngaged ; but, long before thisaction wai cv^'n co«templa(ed, the Araericans 
informed u«i, that the corvette Pike on Lake Ontario was " nearly as large 
as the Macedonian ;" that the brigs building oathe differant lakes, were 
similar in size to the Hornet; (wliich ship was formerly a brig :) that the 
'* new schooner on Lake ChampUin" was upwards ©f 400 ions ; and that 
the new gallies were very superior vessels. . 

Upon the whole, we have fixed the size of the vessels on eacli side, ac- 
cording to the best information we could obtai* ; but, we again say, the 
weight of metal and melf, are in this action the principal considerations. 

After having seen a w hole year's adalaticri bejiowed upon ©ne " illustri^ 
oushero," for making free with Nelson's language, we cannot be surprised 
ihat Commodore Macdonqugh should also write ; '• The Almighty has been 
pleased to grant us a, signal victory on Lake-Cliampliiin, in the capture of 
one friga"te, one brig, and two sleeps of war, of the enemy." 

Here was a w ide field for displayirgfhe embcllishingtalcntsoftlie commo- 
dore's countrymen!—- A ''■frigate''";— but, above all," two sloops of war" ; 
each fifteen tons smaller than pjiAmerican gun-boat captwredatNcw-Orlcans. 
Commodore Macdonough, too, is designated as a " pious, mode?t man.'' — > 
Ont upon such modt^sty l—^But'tc^ comment, wouiil.be to usurp the privi- 
lege of the render^i 

. The American coniT}iander details the action in a second letter. Aware 
li ivoufd be iirgetlagains:! him^.thafctbe^iniiboats were not in the action, he 
artfuliy eays'i ^lu this sti;ua^n,i the. ijvlial® force oa both sides became 
engaged." — He thus debcxiijcs ilieda^fiag'.'J d>one to the two ships : "The 
Saratoga had .'j.i round shot iu her hull,- the Cpnflance 105. The enemy's 
shot passed principally juSt QV,Cf ovii hea,ds> as-theie.were not twenty whole 
hammocks in the nettings, at the closerof the actioH, which lasted, without 
intermission, two honra and. tv/euty: fiiinutes.*" The commodore has omit- 
ted to inform u?, how many of thoite 105 shot btlpjiged to the TiconderO'* 
|;a,PreWe, six row-galliesjaud four guu-bi>ats,whtch.Mtac also engnging the 
British commodore's " big ship." . .■..■:: y^^x; ,-. ' :^ ...:.. 

A refeifcnee.tothe comparative lass on e&ch side, .willshew, that soiwe of 
the Confiant:e'.s guns must have ; been jleveU<Jtl; low endugh ; or that many 
of the Saratoga'^ men were of cxtraordiinary height. One quarter of the 
rliilling whi^'h First^lieutenant Perry gave to tho rrew of il'.e latter vessel.. 
would perhaps huve saved the.. Conliauce's newly-arrived ship') company 
from this intended reproach. 

LcHving to Americans (iie full beueJit to be derived, from invariably 
mistaking good fortune forgallnntry, we shall clo?e this article, with an 
extract from the sen teuce of the court-martial upon Captain Pring^- his 
ollicers and men. - ■.■u'- ).«!», . ;•: ■•. 

"The Court hiving maturely weighed theiiffvidenw., is of opinion that 
the capture of his IS/ajcity's ship CouliiHice, and the squadron, by tlit' 



51 

American squiidion, -was priiicipaHy cauiiecl hy the I-iiliah iquadrcn liaviig 
been urged into battle proious to its btir.g in a pioper stale to intet thts 
enemy ; by the pioraised to-operatiou of the land I'oices net being caniiid 
into effect, and the (nessing letteis of the ccirir.utidcf in chief, whereby it 
appears, that he had on the ICth of Scplen her, 1814, only waited for tlite 
naval attaek, to storm the enemy's work? ; that the signal of the approach 
on the following day \va3 made hj the scaling of the guns, as set« 
tied between Cxiptain Dcwnie aad Mtijor Ccote. and the picmised co- 
operation communicated to the other officers and crews of the Britiilt 
fquadreii." 

The court noticed the defection of''' part of the g,un-boat«," and the ac- 
cidents which prevented others of the vessels from f,etting into the stations 
assigned them ; and honoiaLly acquitted all the cffcers ard irer, except 
the ccMiimandef of the Chubb, who did r,otap[>etir to take his trial. At a 
subsequent day,Llfutenant JNrGhie was "• severely repitiranded," (without 
his eou,rage beiug called in qufsticn,) for not having pioperly carried tlie 
Chubb into action, eor anch&red her so as to do the most efiectual service ; 
by which she drilced into the enemy's line. 



LEVANT 
CYANE 



<Q) 
and CONSTITUTION. 



The two British ships, wJiiie proceediug in company, a few days out from 
Gibraltar, bound to the Western Islands, fell in with the Constitution. 
She wa's discovered first by the Cyane, upon her >vealher-i)ow : the Le- 
vant then hull-down to-leeward. 

As soon us the character of the stranger became linowr, the Cyan© 
bore up for the commodore ; whom she joined and spche, at about th.roe 
quarters cf an hour past four ; when it was determined to engage the A- 
raericau frigate. The two ships then tried for the weather- j^Kge ;butiiad- 
ing they could not obtain it, bore up together, in hopes to proloug th<jcom- 
menctment of the engagement until night. 

Finding that object also defeated by the superior sailing of the Constitu- 
iion, at teu minutes past tive the Levant and Cyane hauled to ihe Mind on 
the starboard tack. In ten liiinutes aftervvaids the Constitution, being a- 
bout three quarters of a mile to-'-.vindward, tiiedthe range of hertliot, aud, 
having ascertaiutd that the tWy ships were under the command of her uiain- 
battery, commenced actioiu 

Both ships returned the rire, but observed their shot lo fall thort ; while 
the Constitution's long- guns were cutting thfm to pie<i-f, particulaijy ia 
sails and rigging. As liie British fire gradually slackened, tJie Con- 
8ticu'ao:i shorten'-d her distance : and by h>;r superior sailing and fatiiifv #f 
aianxavrinij.freqv.eiitly r-.jksd both ships. 



59 

At about foi'lv minutes past six, tiae Cvane was wllliout a brncft 
or bow-Jine, except the larbojird Ibre-braco. Yet, seeiMi;- lior con- 
poit opposed to a lieavv raUiiig' fire, ovvlnjjto the Constitution hav- 
ing- filled across her, i-hc pillar.tly stood in between thern ; and re- 
ceived the tremendous broadside. 

The firing- continued at intervals, for a few minutes longer ; when 
the Cyane turned the hands up to relit the rigging. That 

could not be accompiiKned, before th.e ('onstitution h,ad taken 
a position on h*^r larboard quaiier, witiiin hail. Bein^ nowfotally 
unmanageable, -Rith most ofher standinji and running^ ri.<rf!:iQi^ gone, 
lower-masts and cihcr prinripnl spars -wounded, reveral shot in the 
hull, nine or ten of which were between wind and water, live car- 
ronades disabled, chicflv bv tlie droii'inn; of the bolls, mid star tin rr 6 f 
thechoclxx^ and the Levant being- two miles to-leeward, still bcarin.':: 
away, the Cyane fired a lee p;un and hoisted a light, ns a sig-nal of 
submission: and Jrooii afier seven, w«s taken possession of by the 
Constitution. 

The Levant, aware of the. disabled state of the Cyar.e, had ]>oro 
\\\} to repair damages ; still doubtful, ;is she proceeded, whether or 
i»ot tlie cessation of firinj^ was caused In lirr surrender. As soon 
as new braces were rove, thefjallant little ship a^ain hauled her 
wind, to ascertain the ftJle of her companion ; ns v/ell as to renew 
the desperate combat.- Lor licr proceedings on this occasion, we 
will consult tlie loiT-book of the Constitutioii. 

"At 8 P.M. filled awnr after her consort, (Levant,V.vho was still in 
«igbt to leeward. At S, -jO, found her standing- towards us wiiK 
stiirboard tack? on board, top-j;al]ant-sails set, and coloi'.rs fiying-. 
AtS, bO, ranged up close alongside to-wiiidwavd of her, on oppo- 
site tacks ; and exc.hanf^ed broadsides. V/ore immedi«tely under 
her ftern and gave her a raking broadside ; when she made all sail, 
and endeavoured to e=^rape by running: hauled C)n board ciir tacks, 
and set (lying-jib and ^p^nkcr in chace. A\ 9. .';0,conimenced firing 
our starboard bow-chacers ; gave her several guns, which injured 
Tier gpars and rigging considerably. At 10, P. M. finding she 
could not escape, she fired a Ice-gun, and struck her colours."' 

The above two gallunt broadsides shot awajt the wheel, killed 
three or four men. wounded several, and Ciit tip' the Iievant ex- 
ceedingly, in spars, rigging- and hir^l. ConKideriisg that this vessel 
vas built of fir, and of very light scantling, it is surpi i^i.Pg the Con- 
stitution's fii-o did not sink h^^r. 

Mad the Levant continu.'d her cc»urse on first bearing away, her 
cominander declared he could easily have (!Scaj)od ; but personal 
concideratiou in i>attle, \i not the charjcterislic cf u Doiijilas. 

'I'ke Levant lc?t six petty oKicerss^seariuni and iTiarincs,killed; and 
sixteen wounded : total 22. T!ic Cyane, six kilKvl, and thirteerv. 
wounded : total 19. 

" Old Irofisidcs-,'" ns ^h,e is c.allo>d in Amcrif^a, knew th(? range of 
J* thirly-lwo-pounder carronade too well, to nllow niyny shot to 



5; 



M 



icacli her. ller rigging- was \ory aiucli cut,houcver;aui.! some shot 
fcluok iu hci- sides. \V i'ew others, \vc presinne, found their way on 
Loaid ; or \vc should not hear of four men killed, and twelve wound- 
ed, two of which diefl afJtr an;putallon ; total Id. We again re- 
mind the reader, that " slight hurts" are not included. 

The aniiaments of both ships appear by the table. The Cy- 
une's boat-guuj the Americans majj^uified into an eighteen-pounder; 
and by matching it with another carronade of the same calibre, made 
her njount o\ guns, instead ot 33. 

For the crevv of the Levant, Ave are compelled to depend upon 
tl'.e American account of " prisoners received." The number ob- 
tained from her, the Americans slat* at 133 ; which, with tho six 
actually killed, will make ]39, for her complement on going into 
rxtioH ; including seventeen or eighteen boys. Indeed her marines 
cousi^ed also of boys;— raw recruits that scarcely knew how to 
handle their muskets. 

The number cf prisoners etotcd to have been i*3eeived from the 



men 

and 



the 



one 

ship ; and, within one. quadrupled that of the other. By which,and 
their own account of prisoners, they fixed their united erewsat 336. 
The Constitution mounted two thirty-two-pounder carronades, 
and a shifting eighteen-pounder, lc>s than in the Java's; action. 
bhs had a new commander: v/hicu, according to the report of a com- 
mittee a*.semi)led early in lBl4,to determine upon the expediency of 
€stablishing a navy-board,accounts for the change in her armament. 
But a change of a far more important nature, was now discover- 
ed in the equipment of this line ship: — no less than a furnace for 
heating shot. x\ot to b(3 used, however, unless assailed by a "su- 
perior ibrce." What would be considered on board an Anwricun 
ship, " superior force," may be partly imagined, by the numerous 
Am'erican descriptions of *' equal force," to be found in these 
pages. Nay, as the Levant and Cyane were pronounced " superior 
in force," nothing, we presume, butthe certainty of capturing them, 
and the loss thatVould be sustained by their destruction, prevent- 
ed the full employir.eut of the red-hot shot. 

On the morning of the action, ths Constitution, victualled of her 
compknient, 401) men and 3 boys ; total 4-70. An <.«i!lcer and seven 
■or eight mea were ausenl in a prize, wisich afterwards arrived at 
Krfw-York. The ConstitulioH must therefore have had, on leaving 
iJoston, a crew of 4S0 at least ; thus fully coniirming \lw state- 
•snents previously made, as to her complement of men in her actions 
i^it!i the (iiierriere and Java. 

The Levant was captured on the Sih of Marcli : and is again ia 
the service. The Cyane arrived sale at Nevr-York ; and rates "SO 
^\in^' in a lata •• Naval fte^i^Ur oftJi© h nil-id Siutes." 



54 

The Constitution's log-book sUtss : '^ At 0, f, commenced tlie action 
v\th broadsides, S:c. at 6, 50, took possession of II. B. M. shij) Cjane ;" 
and tiifn j»rofocds to detail the I/Gvant'» capture, acfordir<x to the extjact 
g1*e" i'l pi^?e 52 ; forrprisiiij, fror.i fir?ttolast, a pniod of three ]i(.nrs and 
fifty five minutes. Our astooiphmert may be corciiyed, on reading the foK 
lo'^Tir'g p?Jrgi3ph In (he rfti<'ial letter otCapt Ktenart : 

." On tht> 'iOth Fehruni-y lajt, the inland of Madeira bearing W. S. W. 
distant GO l-ag'jes, we f«*l] in with his Britannic majesty's two-ship of war, 
Cyatio and L'irant.and brought t1iem to action about six o'clock in tl>e even- 
ing : both of which, after a spirited f^ngagement of forty minutes, snrrender- 
rd to t'b*? fJiip undermy fomtnand." I l 

In fstirnating tli« force in this ftction, the tonnage of the largest British 
jliip only, ought to be Opposed to the Cons'idition's. The nnjted tonnage 
of the J--erant and Cyane, increases the superficial extent, not the thickness 
^f their sides. The larger of the two has balwarks, thi'teen inches, the 
Constitution tTJ.^nty ^t/,-? inches thick. But a stillmore material difiercnce 
prevails; for, while these consist of a solid body of oak, those have a space 
of several inches bet^vcen each timber. 

Nor does the relatlre broadside-v/eight of metal convey, by any mean;, 
.•X correct idea of the lelative force of the combatants. Not only was our 
force divided, and, for the most part, separately engaged ; but Ave had ear- 
ronades to oppose toloi^ggnns, within eight pounds each, of the same 
calibre : those long guns, ton, piriployed with every advantage of distance 
and pofition. owing to thi; superior sailirrg of the ConsfitDtion, and her 
p-v^ses'Jon of the wef^ther-gBge. 

It is the comparative weight in long guns, that will best show what quan- 
tnm of force the- two British ships had to contend with. How stands that ? 
American. lb?. \ British. lbs. 

Seventeen long twenty-fn-ur's . . . .408 | Tv,'o long pine's 18 

A superiority -of twenty two t(> : ojff. 1— j-Yet, says Captain Stewart, 
"^•Considering the advantages derived by the enemy from a divided and 
more active force, as aUo their superiority in the weight and number of 
guns, 1 deem the spt>edy and deri.sive result of this action, the strongest a^^- 
•^nranro which can ])e given the government, that all under my command did 
tliejr duly, and gallantly .supported the reputation of American seamen." 

What means this scrupulous naval officer, by " the advantages" of being 
''divided;" or by the term •" more active," as applied to the British fhips. 
^0 miscrilje a sailer-Was t ha Cyane, th«t eyery ve^ssel but one, in a fleet 
■Flte convoyed to NewfountUandj ran by her with case ; and the [iCvnnt 
ronld outsail hci a tritle only. " Spe-c-dy result •.■'—three hovirsand tlfty 
five minutes ! 

After toine«n an attjrmpt (o pWchnp his faiT>% bv filching thnt ofliis ho- 
nourable adversary, a conipliment to British giiUantry would have been 
wholi_v;ucon$iyt»pt.. The bold advance of the Levant, at half past eight, 
would have elicited cdniiration from the breast ofuTyrk; but Captaia 
Douglas' oppoiufit vas — an American ! 

In Epitc ef our indignation^ wc cannot forbear noticing, with a smile, the 
finvi'a.r^ty that exists betwo«n the <jctiori of the Constitution and Levant^ 
riul that (if thr Frosifl'^nt and Little Belt. Thf dispaiit) of force w:is the 
same. The tn> An".f rjcjta coniiTicinders Trerc alik<*j Hectors of th? ftrit 



r. 



.,*j 



^radi. The sapiemisrepresaufaiUn and extravagant boasting folloM-ed the 
two ovrnts. 

A r;?lV:cnce to the fable of d-mcnsions, will convey some idea of the ;J p- 
peflrance of t)ie little iir-b«ilt corvette "ranged close aloDgside" this Le-i 
viathiB of frigates. Yet the latter coolly iired R first, and tbcn a second ■ 
broadside, into her llllipntian opponent ! 

The "victory" over the I.evfuit and Cyan3,\ras pronounced iatheUjuted 
States, " onec'f the most brilliant feats recorded ia naval history." I'an- 
oraiv.lc views cf the aetiou »rc still to be seen ; nor need we doubt that 
t!ic LJritish sLitis appear, each singly, a full match for the Ainei;icaii frigate. 

Upon slcppiug on shore at Boston, the conqueror Avas almost sraothered 
with the caresses of the ciliz.4 n? and ehesscs. Some appeared anxious, eve«^! 
to touch the liem of iis garraent ! Ths oxianager of tlii thealit! knew his in- 
terest too well, not to crave leave to annouRo-a, that the gallant Captaiu 
Stewart and the offic-rs of the Constitution, (all, of course, " in full regi- 
mentals,") would honour with their presence, the evening's cntertaimaient. 

To recount all the extravagances which this eveist gave rise to in differ- 
ent parts of the union, among the federalists er^pecially, v/onld exceed tlie 
limits of this 'ivork. We cani'.ot, however, jcfrain frora indulging the 
reader, with the psrusal of a short extract frf^m (he " ilogtoi* Gazette" of 
December the 14th : 

'S'The Cyane is frigate-built : and is of th? same tonniege, and capable of 
the same armam^ut, as tfte late U.S. frigate Essex. Tlis Levant is exactly 
equal in tonnage and armament to the late" (aiesning thencw, uow lost) 
*' U.S. ship Wasp ; both (independently of (he advantage which two ship? 
ha?',^ over one) being decidedly sup^ricr to the C'--'"''t!t!ition." A. rofarence 
to table 7, will sfet this fideral pull about the ccmparaiive size of the shipSj 
in its trae light. 

In her general qualities.,, the Cyane resembled the Boxer ;* with the ex- 
ceT)tion, thnt the latter Mas a new vessel, the forijier an old one,+ and so 
rotten, that, if dot captured, she would certainly have bean broken up.. 
Thousands of New-York citizens, who visited Captain Stewart's fine prize^^ 
frigate, can testify as to the pulverized slate of her timbers, wherever a shot- 
hole had exposed iUcm (o viev.-. • 

The two court-iTiartialstivat sat to €aquire into the loss of the Levant 
and Cyane, were fully cf ©pinion, that their capture was to be atributedto 
the very superior force of the American ship, and to her great s u peri oiji ty i a 
."Sailing, which enabled her throughout the action, to hecp at such a dlstnoce 
that their carronadee were of little eifect; while she was constantly Jteeping 
up a steady fire from seventeen long twenty-four-pounders ; and that ihs 
officers and men evinced the greatest skill and intrepidity, defending their 
ships in a manner liighly honoratjle to them, while it could be done with 
the lea^t ])rospeet of success. A high encomium was passed on 'the conduct 
of the ship's companies,- (except three of the Cyane's men, w^ho deserted to 
the Americans.) for their loyalty, in resisting the' repeat.i'd ofi'ers "made to. 
th:^m to enter the 'Service of the etirrBy. •.-« li.'n .; . i/ :■.' ■ 

It wa? stated uion oath by the British officers j 'that the' cfe^vs of the two 
shU)) were for three wrecks,' kept constantly in the Consiitulioa's hold, 
wkh hands and leg's Ihli'ens. and only three pints of water for the twenty. 

'ycf above p. 36-. . ■ *Bii=it in 1 soj, ■ 



66^ 

* 

four hours.— Tills, too, In a tropical cliniatc !— That after tie. ck- 
piration of the three weekf, upon the application ef Capt. I)on«i!a?j 
one thini of the men v/ere allowed to be on dock, lour hours out of 
the twenty four; but had not the moans of \valkin*-,bein«^ atiU in iions. 

That oil mustering- the crews when they were landed at Maran- 
ham, five of the Levant's boys were missing ; and that upon ap- 
plication and search for thcni, two were found locked up in the 
American captain of marine's cabin. That a black man at Maran- 
ham was eaipioyed as a crimp, and enticed one of the Levant's 
boys to enter the American service. 

Upon these facts, let the reader employ his own thou*.!>t5. If 
he possesses a British heart, he will need no prompter. 



(R) 

ST. Lawrence and ciiasseuk, priv. 

This schootief, V.Iisn fallen in with, was carrying- dispatches 
frAm Admiral Cock])urn relating to the Peace. That of itself would 
unfit the men for ri^jftiting-,; yet they behaved gallantly. 

No oilicial account has been published. Ths Americans state 
the action to have lasted only fifieen minutes ; and that the St. Law- 
rence was then carried by baardini;. 

The schooner it appears, had six killed and eighteen wounded ; 
total 24. Ihe Chasseur, by thte American returns, five killed and 
eij;ht wounded ; total 1^?. 

The armaments and crews of the two vessels appear by thetabl*. 
The Americajjs gave the St. Lawrence two guns more than sh« 
mounted. lier sliiflinj; nine-pounder is brought into the broad- 
side* The Chaageur bad ports for fij;htin»- nine guns of a side. 

The Uritish ves.sel was a mere shell, having no bidwaiks what- 
ever, unless a one inch board can be called so. She was rornierly 
the American letter of marque Atlas. The Chasseur has stouter 
quarters than our eighteen-gun brigs; and is esteemed one of tho 
fastest sailers out of America, 

The Auiericana boast that the Chassenrj on a former cruise, 
" fought" two sloops of war, tly her log-, as published in a New- 
York paper,we. find she did "exchange a few shots" with one of oui' 
brigs ; and, on another occasion, was '* fired at" by asccond; but, 
each time,— took to her heels. Hovk many American privateerji 
besides Ihc Chussi^ur, have '-fought" British ships in a similar 
Miuimer ? 



5r 

PENGUIN and HORNET. 

This --jction took plaoa off t])0 island orTrislan d'Acunha. The 
T/aiit of u IJritish ofricial account, ngain invests us with that unplea- 
sant and difTicult ofnce, — extracting truth from American details. 

T'se British vessel, according- to the Aui«rican account, hsd the 
Av<^athcr-r;-a«e, and surrendered after an action of " twenty tn'e 
minutes;" in which her fore-mast and bowsprit v/ere cut away, her 
main-mast compieteiv crippled, and her hull riddled with shot. 
The brig's damage?;, indeed, lad to her destruction on the second 
uiornins; i-^(tcr the action. 

Th«) Peni^nin lost her brave cowmander, the boatswain,and eight 
men killed ; lier second lieutenant, pur^^sT,two midshipmen, (each 
had a leg shot ofi',) and twenty four men wounded, four of whom 
died aftsrV/ards ; total SS. 

The Americans saj the FJornet received pcreral grape, but not a 
single round shot In her hull ; nor, beyond the lo;?s of her spanker- 
'boom, any material wound in her spars. Her rigsingand sails were 
very much cut. I'hey acknowhvj^e a lo-^s of two killer!, and eleven 
wounded ; includirij*^ amoog the latter, the captain and first lieuti^n- 
ant ; total 13. 

According to a well kno'sm vulgar adage. Captain Btddle's asser- 
tions ougiit to be received with caution. It v/as he v-"-ho, ■when first 
lieutenant of the V»'a'-p, and prize-master of the Frolic brig, wrote 
home, that the latter '• mounted eighteen thirty-two-pounder car- 
ronades" ; pointing out, at tlio Fame time, that she was "superior 
to tbe War,p." 

The Penguin raonnted the same as the brig Frolic; but the 
Americans «;onverted her long sixes into twelves, and gave her 
pwivels o? the c.'pstnn and in theN:ops. The usual bridle-port, Mr. 
]»iddle, v.'hile sick in his cabin, describes tLuis : '•' She had' u spare 
port forward, so as to fight both her long guns of a side." — We won- 
kier it did not occur to him, that fihe could alsq/ught one of her 
" swivels''' through the h'<?vv'se-hole. 

Uy adding the kil.edto the number ofpriscners'stated tohavebesh 
iicceived, the Penguin's complement of men and boys (at least sis- 
ieen of the latttn-) would bo 123 ; includiugijweh-e supernumerary 
nmrines rtceived from the Modway. But Rlr. liiddle says, '-The 
j.'mcmv a,cknowledg€ a corriplemsntof 132." This is easily explained. 
Tiie Americans kucw the establishment of men and boys for a brig 
' ^f the Penguin's class, was aboqt 120 ; and to that number they 
Jmve added, the " twelve supernumerary mariuei" acknowledgeii 
io have been received froui the Med way. 

The Hornet's anviament has rlrcady been given. Ilercomple- 
feijxent of men in theac\ion/> stated on the part oftheBrivish.to hav*^ 



been 16'j. She is, >yo know, al'owetl throe Hcnter.ants and r. iici teuant of 
marines, thi same As the Wasp and Poacork ; m hoso cojnplemer.(F, >vith- 
om supcriuinierariis, \ver« 171 ta.i;h : and willi (hem, 175 anil IS'i. — 
Captain Gicldle says, the Hornet v/as "eight men short of coinplement ;" 
m?aning, no doubt, oi th3 number wilh which she Ictt port. Allowing that 
fhi* had only two sui;eriiunierar!e55 the iiunjbei of n.^jn s!ie had in the action 
would btjll be I(i5. 

Captaia IJiddie, 'vvhcn ha wrote h'n ofiicial loafer, was confined to his 
rabia by a painful a\ouuJ in tho aeck. It inn?thave aifjctcd his brain, to 
judge from hisaiiimated deecrijition of thePenguin's sizo. "SheAvas shorter," 
he says, " upon deck than this ship by two feat, but she had a greater 
lorigth of keel, greater breadth of beam, thicker sides, and higher bul- 
warks." Since the arrival of the Hornet in port, the Perguiii's " lengtJi 
on deck" has been pubKuhcd at " llOfe-jt ; brv?adth 3lfeet Cinches," and 
so forth. In table 7, tliese afc/V^nfa/ errors v/ill be found corrected. 

" An cTstract of a letter from an officer of the sloop of war Peacock," 
(in company with the IIorsKit two days after the action^) published in a 
BostoH piiper, cantaiiis the following extraordinary statement : 

" On examining her (the Penguin's) guns after theaclicn, a fhiity-two- 
pounder-carronada on the side engaged, was found ■? ith its toaipion as 
nicely puttied and stopped io, as it was on the day she left Spithcad." 

That the Penguin's crew consisted principally of kc wly-pressed men, 
little boys, and foreii^ners, and therefore, of many dif-afferted person?, the 
dilficulty of obtaining men when she was commissioned, (only in Sept I SI 4,) 
tenders more than probable ; but, for many reason^, we cannot credit (he 
above statement of the Peacock's oiiker. Captaia LJiddie's omitting to no- 
tice the circumstance, is, however, no proof against it ; as the fact would 
demonstrate clearly, that he had one gun less in broadside opposrd to h'lta; 
which would propartionably diminish from his " splendid victory." 

The same letter affirms, that the Penguin's oificers " ascribed their mis- 
fortune entirely to the superiority of the men belonging to the Hornet ; 
and repeatedly said, they would be glad to try itagain with her, if the Pen- 
guin was ma-.ined with slich msu." This is probable; and would be quite 
sUiTicicut to account for our defeat. 

As iiritonf, we should be ashamed to afftr (he disparity of numerical 
force ill this action, as any excuse. AVc wish it had bt^en the lot of the 
Curlew, Rilleman, or any other equally welI-B>anned brig bf the Penguin's 
class, (o have fallen in with the Hornet. The boarding-opportunity would 
notliavc been lost, we are sure, by ihe worthlcssness of the crew. 

\V* muVt alUu> that the fjuiuiory of the Hornet was ek.celle«t : sucJi in- 
tke.d as riiight be lupcotcd from men, who had been someyeurs in (he i.ame 
ship ; anildarinjj;lhat.tiu:c, constantly drilled at theguns. The Americans 
*ienerve tscry credit for uiaklng this their principal oliject. We cannot 
but regret, however, that the Hornet did not meet an opponent, possessed 
of similar advantJgcs : pne A\ho would have proved American Lottom, 
ii> woil U.S hkill. 



69 



TABLE 2nd. 



Shewing the narr.rs, gans-mountcd, men, Jind ton5-bur(lK?n, of Hritish 
%h'\ps of war, captured and destroyed, Avithout action, by American force, 
since the IStJi of Juno, 1812. 



S!iip>' n&Dies. 



I): of (;io\st^r..L;. 
llighflyor... . .. So 

Hamilton So. 

Confinnce S.;. 

Fictou Sc. 

Nancy Sc. 

n.^rnies. . '. 



rni. 



me».'tons. 



W lull caj>tiiii'<} 
or destto)«cl. 



By vtluit force. 



leftr 
to 

nof<? 



10 
5 
3 

' 2 

13 
2 

17 

62 



St 

2217^ 

20 



164 April 20, IS] ;i 
'209 Sept. 9th. „ 



71 



15-5 



4 ' 



211 

54 

339 



;Oct. 4th. „ 

Feb. 14, 1S14 
August. „ 
Sept. 15th. „ 



1 1U5 



Coni.Chauncey's sqd ^ (T) 
Preskleot frigate. 



Com. Chauncej's sqd. 



Constitution frigate ; 

and burnt. 
Burnt at Mackinaw, 

Lake Huron. 
Battery at Mobile. 



(U) 



(y) 



CT) 



This vessel fell icto the hands of the Americans, at the captnre of Yosiv 
in Upper Canada. It is uncertain, wholhcr or net any guns wfnMnounted. 
Her totally unserTiceable state, conlincd har to Sackett's Harbour during 
the remainder of the war. . ,yv 'n"-'::,ii ».K 

After phnidering York, the Americans ascertained, tftafa sliitJ on tha 
stocks had been burnt previous to their arrival. This vessel was intaaded, 
we understand, for a tnenty-gun ship ; but Commodore Chauoccy n>a^hi- 
iied her into " a Ihirty-two-gnnfrigate." 

As the -vessel Mas only in frame, we shall coQsider the seventy-four's 
frame destroyed at Washin^on,a3 a full eqtivalent ; aud not iostrt either 
iii th3 tablc.i. 



(U) 



These schooners (late the U. S. schooners f^rswler and Julia) were coa- 
'foying five transport-sloops and boat), with trOr.jH on boaid ; bcu^iii iro.i 



GO 

ihe hracl ofLake-Ontario (o Kingston. One vpssel r>-as biirnf, anil 
ono escaped: leavinp^ five, inclndin;^ the {ianiilton and Confiaiic«>, 
in Comnioolore Chaunco^'s liand^;. 

The Iroops, according (o the American account, beloncred to De 
Wattcville's regiment; and, with their cfTic(M«, consisted of^'iS. 
'J"he ^a^al oHicers and seamen taken, amounted to no nioretlian are 
slated in the ta])le. 

One or twoRritish r.-serchant-ves!?e]s were, upon some other occa- 
sion, driven on ?hore h\ (commodore Chaiincev's fleet. The Amrr- 
ican " prize-list" notices tv/o " name-iniknown schooners" ol'miie 
ffl^nns each, destroj'cd on this lalic ; wliich mv.st ha^e been theal)o\c 
private vessels. 

Should a sett-ofTbp required, an account laid before Parliament, 
on the IstorFehruary J8I4:, states that two ships of 22 guns each, 
and 198 men and two others of 18 guascach, besides fjur suialler 
vessel?, were capture? J from the Americans on the Cana(ia-lako3. 
Uut, as wecan^alano pra'ticular? respectinf^tJie four larg'cr vessels, 
they have not been estimated. The two small schooner.' which we 
took at Detroit on the JGth of Au£j;ust, were retaken from ns oh 
the 9th ©f October following; aiid, on that account, do not ap- 
pear in cither table. 

(V) 

This ship, tOj-^ether with yonr? smaller vessels, v/o" making an 
attack upon Fort-Rowyer, on Mobile point,ncar Ponsaeola : when, 
her cable bein^ cut bj shot, she drifted within six hundred yards oi 
Ihe battery. 

Every eflb: t to s^et Iier afior.t pro\ in<i unavailiusr^ she was set fire 
to by her commander snd crew ; and blew up the same night. 

Her complement Mils, by tlui A n)ericans, ptipnented from 128 
to 175 ; <' 150 of whirh" "says thencount, "-were lost, F5 were 
l<illed or wounded on boarii the other ship, and several on board 
the other vessels." 

Fortunately, littl<? or no loss occured. Were wc to sum up all 
llie men asserted to have- fallen victims to American prowess, dur- 
ing;- the war-operations on the coast, it would n'?arly amount to <hoL- 
complements of the ships employed. 





ou-f 





ou-f 



01. 

(W) 

CHESAPEAKE ciad SHANNON". 

Oil (hesecoiid of April, ISI.'J, the Shannon, accompanied by the 
Tenedos ot'.siuiilar I'oiee, itconnoih-ed tlic harbour ofiioston; and 
discovered 1} ing- there, the Congress frigate^ ready tor sea, the 
President, nearly so, Hiid the Constitution, under repair. 

On the Ikirteenth, tlie Cliosjpeake, Captain Evans, from a cruize 
of 115 dayt;, gotin Uiijyercfived ; and on the «ixth of May, foggy 
Weather and a sudden favourable shift of wind, enabled the Preii- 
dent and Cong rtbs to avoid the two iiritish irigates,andei;capetOHea. 

Having ascertained (hat the Chesapeaktt would soun be ready 
again, but the Constitution not until a ujonth or six weeks, Cap- 
tain Broke, on the twenty fifth of May, took a supply ofproviii- 
ons and water from the Ten«dod ; aiid detached her, with orders 
not to rejoin him before the fourteenth of June. 

On the twenty sixth of May, tiie Shannon recaptured the brig 
Lucy ; and, on -the twenty nintii, the brig Wiliiam ; both belotJg- 
in»- to Halifax. A meeting with the Chesapeake being now his 
t;ole purpose, nothing but the circumstance of those vessels belong- 
ing to that port, induced Captain ijroke to weaken his crew, by 
sending theiu in. The master of the i^ucy and four or five of the 
Shannon's supernumeraries, took her in charge ; and a niidshipMaii 
and four men, the V/illiaui. \V hen this wnA done, the Shannon 
mustered i^Sl olHcers, seHinb'a, marines and suoernumeraries, and 
i?l boys ; total 308. ' • 

On the afternoon of the thirtieth, the Shannon fell in with the 
Briti.jh piivateer-brig. Sir John Sherbrooke. This vessel had on 
board, fifty two Irish labourers, tal;e» tlirce days previous, out of 
the American privateer Governor Plumer ; which had captured 
the ship Duck, from Waterford to Buiin, Newfoundland, having 
thes«j mea on board as passengers. Tlurty of them had entered on 
board the Sir John Sherbrooke ; and the remaining twenty two 
were now pressed into the Shannon. 

Early the next morning, the doubly-auspicious first of June, 
Captain Broke addressed to the connuanding oiiicer of the Chesa- 
])cake, a letter of challenge ; which, for caotiour, spirit, and gen- 
tlemanly st\le, has rarely been equalled. Thii letter was contidod 
'io a Captain Slocuin,bouiiJ into Salem ; v>ut it did not rcarh IJo::tonj 
-until several hours after tlie Chesapeake had sailed. 

As soon as Captain Bioke had forwarded tlie challenge, the Shan- 
non stood in, with colours Hying, close to Boston light-house ; and 
there laid-to. The ('hesap-_Mke was seen lying at anchor in Presi- 
dent roads, with royal-yards across, iit niue a. m she (Ired a 
gun, and loosened sails; and between twtdveand oue,weigiied and 
rtood out ; crowding all sail^ with a li^ht breeze ia her favoutv 



62 

Tlic Shannon ran out, tinder e;isy soil, nntil four o'clr.rk : v,hort 
sliehau'ed up, and !ai'i-to. Ju>t previous to thi?, the Ghe^apeiike 
also hauled np, aiv.l lireda ,oi:n. Both ships a^nin bore away, the 
Shnniion, with her fore-sail brailed up, and her niain-top-sail hra- 
cea fiat, and sbiverinij. 

At a few miiotes past fivr P. M. Boston light-liouie Dealing west, dis- 
tant about six ieai.nies, tlie Shannon again hov"(,-tf>5 "ndcr t<,>i>sails, top-tral- 
Jan<-saiN, jib ar.d sj)aiiker ; keeping her ro^^al-yaids .still across, ov\i[ij>- to 
th^' ligh<n.jr,s of the breeze. 

The Cliesap(;ake came do^vn upon the Sharmoli'a starbpard quarter, in a 
very hiiidsonie n'.auner ; b<^Tiiii^ tbrci ensigui ilying, cue at Ihu miztn- 
TO) ti-niast-hcad, or.c it the pfak, ynd one. in the stai board main-rigs^ing. 
She had also, flying at the fore, a lavi^e white Hag, inscribed wifh thewcrds 
" Fnri: TUADE AND sajlok's Hi&iiTS ;" supposiiig, perhaps, it would damp 
theeri()^\ of tlie Siiarnorr.s ir ti . 

The Siianaoii had only an old rusty blue omign at th>i prck ; nor «ns 
her outside appearance at all calculated to inspij*ea bcHrf, of the order ar.d 
discipline that reigried within. 

If was Hiougiii, at first, from her mancrnvn^s, thart ihs Chcapeake in- 
tended passing ondi; the Shannon's s'.eni ; especially ap the lattpr vra^, ;-t 
that time, without sfeerage-way. Ciiptain Brok^ crderi'd his men, in that 
case, to lay down H.^t ; so a!> to avoUi, in soTi^e dej^ree, the raking' ftra. But 
Captain Lawrence, either ovt ; -looking or waiviug this acivantiige, at thirty 
muiutes past five, gallantly lulled up, w ithin hail, upon the Shannon's star- 
Tjoard quarter. 

(Japtain Broke had directu'd hi<; men to fire as tlnjir gons ivoald bear, 
and to aim principally at the enemy's po:ls. The first and second siiot 
were from the Shaiition's afier-most maiii-ch-rk gun, and quarter-drcic car- 
ronade ; just as the Ciiesapeake's fore-mast caujc in a line with the i^ha;i- 
jion's mizen-mast. Bofh shot took effect. 

The Chesapeake fired her whole bvji^lside in return. The superiority 
of the Shannon's was evident, from the hnvock it made amang the Chesa- 
peake's oflicers and men ; Ui)on her qvnrter-deck, especially. 

Just at the clone of the second broadside, the Che:?apeake fell on board 
the Shannon ; the Ihikc of the hitter's w;nsf-anchor, (whi'"h, to assist in 
triininiig the ship by th«* stern, had been stowed in tiie main-chaitu,) en- 
tering (he former's quarter-gallery-w indow. 

The shot from the Shaiuion's after-most guns, now had a fair range nloi.g 
the Chesapeakc'sdecks ; b<-ating in the stern-jiorts, and sweeping the men 
from tiieir quarters : the shot from the fore-most gnns, at (he same time,, 
entering tlie ports from the main-mast aft, did consideiable e»ecuticn. 

About tills time, an open cask of musket-cartrid;;e«, standing abaft the 
Chcr.ap^ake's mizeii-raast for the use of the murines, caught iiieanci ble.\7 
•up ; but did no injury whateYor,.v, The Chesapeake's head had now fallen- 
civ, bringing her dose alongside the Shannon ; wlioS'^j Kiizen-mast wa&- 
iiearly opposite the end of the foiiiier's spankel-boom. 

Captain Droke, seeing the favourable irrment, called out '•'' l)oard ;" 
and, [iceompanied by the (nst-lieutenant aiul about twenty men, spiiaig on 
the Chesapeake's quarter-deck. 'Jheie, to his surprise, not i\n ciliccr cr 
men was to be seen. On her gangway, about twenty Ainiicars nradc a 



65 

slight resi;-i(iince ; but were, soon driven towards llic forc-CAfctlo. Some of 
these attcmptfcl te get down the fore-h:itch\vay, hat failed, by crowding 
together. Others leaped overboard ; and very few survived. 

B-itween thirty a;id forty of the Shannon's inarines,quick.ly followed the 
fii>;t ooaidii)g-|:iai<y. These drove down the men m ho were ascending 
the ir.ain-hatihMay ; cleared the main and niizen tops ; aad secured the 
quarter-deck. 

The Chesapeake's for£-top%vas, in the mean time, stormed by midship- 
ma!) Siaith and his top-men, about five iu number ; who cither destroyed, 
or diore on deck, all the Americans stadoned there. This g.illant youiig, 
man dfliberatoly passed from the Shansion's fare-top, along tlie fore-yard- 
ann, Avhich was braced up, to the Ciiesapeakc's, also braced up ; and 
tlierice into her top. The relative position of the ships brought theirfore- 
yards nearly upon a line ; thus favouring the enterprise. 

Just at the close of the action ; and while Gaptnin Broke was callinf; 
on his men to give quarter, he received a severe sabre-wound at the back 
part of his held. Some of the m.en that were near him, hastily tore strips 
from their shirts, to wrap round the head of their beloved commander. 
He told them to go on, and not mind him. Captain Broke then sat down 
en a coil of rope ; and soon afterwavds/aiut with loss of blood and exertion, 
Vras carried on board his own ship. 

The tirst-lieufenant of th? Shannon was struck on thehcad with a grape- 
t,hot frorn one of that ship's fore-most guns, while hoisting the British col- 
ours over the American. Two guns were discharged, uufortunately, be? 
fore the oliiccr commanding them, knew of the Chesapeake's surre;idor ; 
by which, six or seviin of (he Sliaiinon's men .shared the iumentcd Tuie of 
Mr. Watt,' and several others were wounded. 

Almost immediately (hat the British colours were hoist'd on beard the 
Chesapeake, the auiiior which had got foul of her quarter-gallery, carried 
it av.ay; and the two ships separated. Tiie Shannon, lowering her boatt;, 
soon scat on boird a supply of tnen. Ataho-.it eight o'clock, the pri^on- 
frs being <Iividcd and properly secured, tlie British ship and her tine pr!Z(\ 
bent tiieir coarse fer Halifax. 

Between the dlschargeef (he first gun, and the period of Captain Broke's 
boarding, ten ruinutes ordy elapsed ; .and in four minutes more, theChesa^ 
peake was compb-.tely his. — Hundreds of. spectators from Boston and the 
surrounding neighbourhood, expressed their astonishment at the speedy 
termination of tju> firing: and, it will be recollected, the jiring did net 
<''e:i''e, until the very raoiiieiit of victory. 

What a happy circumslaiice It was, that during the whole of the day, 
no British cruize.r, pnblie or private, canie in sight. If we except a vety 
numerous asitniblage of American guu-bcats and pleasure-) achts, the two 
frigates had the oliing to them-selves. 

The Chesapeake was severelybattered In her hull; on the sti^rboard 
xjuarter, particulaily. A shot passed through one of her transoms, (of 
immense thickisess.) and several entered the sterrs-M'indov. s. She hsd two 
iviain-decSc guns, and one carror.ade, entirely disabled. 0:;e carronade, 
also, was dismounted ; and tome carrisiges uer^^ broken. 

Her three lowci-masts, especially the mtin and mizen masts, were badly 
^joande.d. Tiie bow->;pnt rev.civ;d no injury ; uor was a ?par of any kind 



64 

sliot away. Her lower risf[!;in«j and stnys were a «ood deal cut : 
but neither masts nor riggini*; were dainai»ed, so that thej could net 
be remedied, if necessary, without going- into port. 

Dreadful was the slaughter on board of her. She lost a lieuten- 
ant of marines, the master, and at least, seventy live j)otty-()tRcers, 
seamen and marines, killed; her gallant commander, first and fourth 
lieutenants, wounded mortally ; her second and thir*! lieutenants, 
the chaplain, livemids-hipmen, and eighty two petty-otlicers, seamen 
and marines, also wounded; about forly tliree ot' them severely ; 
total, killed and wounded, 170 : exclusive often or twelve, thst, in 
our returns, (onaccount of smart-money.) would have been noticed 
a:nong the wounded. 

In ccnarmation of the above account of tlie Chesaprake"'s los^:, 
her late surgeon writes from Halifax, that the 'Miumber of killed 
and wounded is estimated at about IbO to 170;" and he would, 
j)erhap-5j not include those vvitli xay slight hurl?. On the other 
hand, Lieutenant Lludd, in his cillcial letter, gi\c3 tlie «/!/?>2c.sof only 
Ibrty se-v eJi killed ; enumerating the v>oi!iided, aa we have done, at 
93. Another American account makes the total loss, ili. This 
tuijject will be better underitood, when the ship's complement of 
men in the action, comes to be discussed. 

The injuries sustained by the Shannon bore no comparison to 
those of the Chesapeake. Five round shot passed through her ; one 
only below the main-ileck. Several eighteepi-ponnders stuck in iier 
starboard side, ranged in a line, just above the copper. A long- 
iron bar was also ditcovered sticking in her side, a short distance 
under water. 

flerfore and main-masts were slightly injured by sh.ot : her bow- 
sprit (previously sprung) and niizcn-mast, were badly wounded. 
iSo other spar was damaged. Iier |/o]e-mizen-top-u)ast, from its 
shortness compared to the Chesapeake's, may have given rise to the 
aisertion, that her '' mizen-royal-mast" was shot awuy. Her rig- 
ging was not much hurt. 

The .Vuiericnns fiatlereJ themselves, that the Shannon was redu- 
ced to a binkiiig state. So contrary was the fact, that, had the 
badly vvoundt'd, and a part of (iie j)risoners, (owing to their super- 
ior nuiiibers,) been removed from tile ships, they could have pro- 
ceeded to Portsmouth, v\;t!i as much ea;C and salciv, as to HaliSa.x, 

The Shannon lost in tlie action, her first lieutenant, tlie purser, 
captain's clerk, t'.veniy seamen, marines, and supcrniirrioraries, and 
*>ni; boy, Icillcil ; her commander, boLitsWiiiu, a midshipman and 
(ifty six seamen, marines, and supernumeraries, wounded; of whom 
twenty lour, including tiie captain and boats»vain, (the' latter sines 
dead,) were wounded ^eveioly ; tc>tal, 'killed and wounded, 8J. 
'I he Chesapeake mounted fourteen long ei;;;ii(een-pounders of a 
^hit^e upon the ir.uin-deck ; ei^ht thirty-two-poander carronades of 



a side upon the quarter-deck : (wo more of a j;i(ie,an(l one siiifting; 
IcT.!,'- eighteen, r.pon (he forecasde : (o(al49. She had alsoatu'olve- 
pounder carronnde ; but it is douhd'iil \vho(hor or not it was mount- 
ed in the action. A very simple hut well-contrived elevating car- 
riage, and another for boat-service, belon<;ed (o it. 'J he gun itself, 
quite perfect, vfas found dismounted ; therefore we canno(, with 
propriety, estimate it. 

The Chesapeake could ca?ily liavc fought all her fore-cmtlc car- 
ronadcp, as well as the eiohteen-poundcr, r.pon (he broadside ; as 
she had five portp, bes^ides the bridle, on cac!i side. Her fore-castle 
r/as considerably lar;;Gr,than (hat of any fritjjate in the British navy. 

All the American navy-lists of 17.98, rate the Chesapeake a 44 ; 
avjd she then must have mounted 55 guns ; bringing into the broad- 
side, including her elevating carronadc, 28 guns. 

Several vagtic accounts having been published, respecting the 
speciesof shot Ibund on board of iier, wo have, at the end of note 
(Z)given a rough skctcli of the most extraordinary among thera ; 
and,^to complete the groupc^ have added some varieties, taken out 
ofother American vessels. 

We do not say, there v/as any thing unfair in the Americans us- 
ing star, chain, and double-headed shot. It is, however, no longer 
matter of surprise, that the masts and rigging of our ships, in all 
the unsuccessful actions,were so quickly cut to pieces and destroyed. 

A desire to torment, as weii as to destroy, must have influenced 
the Americans ; or r^hy were the Chesapeake's ennnisters made 
(o contain angular nnd jagged pieces of iron ; or the musket-car- 
tridres, three and four buck-shot each ? 

A^large cask of lime, with the head open, had been standing on 
(he fore-castle- but was knocked to pieces by one of t'lo Shannon's 
shot. A bag of the same, was found in the ibre-(op. Long after 
tjje Cl^esapeako arrived in Halifax, (ho remains of the linve were to 
1)3 s?en about the fore-c istle. For what precise use it vtus intend- 
ed, we cannot conjecture. 

Now for tb.e most difficult part in the eslimste of an Amcncau 
shin's force ; hor complement of men on going into action. 

(3n the ninetconih oi'June, at the Adniiralty-Office, Lieutenant 
George Budd, the surviving commanding oilicer of the Chesapeake, 
swore a? follow:. : " fie does not know the number of hands on 
board at the time of rapture, but will procure a cojiy of the muster- 
roll. He supposes there might have been about340 hands on board 
Tit the time of capture. He'thinks tliey were Americans ; but there 
were some Dunes and Swedes on board." 

Lieutenant Budd's ofiicial letter bears date four days previous. 
He there gives tlie names (before, as it woubi appear above, he liad 
^•procured a copy of the lauster-roll") of 47 of his crew kille(l. 
How happened Mr Brdd not to know, that " the number of hinds" 
Iielonging to theChe3apcalio,wkose names were entered in the agerv* 



G(5 

fftr pr5soi1f*ffi' boalc, amounted to 3'20 ? That ir.im'ber, addodUo his " 4? 
killed, "would hare jjroduced 373, instead of '' about J40.'* 
'- As Mr. Budd's inoraory had not recovered itself", at the time of his ex- 
amination on oath, it niu!-t hav<3 been still mor« confused, when he wrote 
his official letter ; \» hich accounts, readily enough, for his inaccuracy^ res- 
pecting the number of the Chesapeake's killed. 

Two muster-rolls were found on ))oard the CheiapeaUe. One contained 
th,e names of 389 ; the other, written up to the moining of the action, cf 
391.; lietli contained numerous discharges ; some as late as the Slat of 
May. Wemay therefore conclude, t'lat, on the morning of the first of Jure, 
tie Chesapeake had a complement of ."591. 

It was well-known in Boston, that several volunteers joined the Cliesa-i 
pcake, ns she was getting under way at half past tv^elve. Several of the 
petty-ofticers, after they were sent to Melville Island, confessed, that thirty' 
or forty hands, principally from taeCanstitution, came on board ; and were 
liftt reported to the purser. 

' In corroDoration of several men having joined the pliip a very thoit tima 
before tlic action, a number of bags and hammocks were found lying in thii 
boats sto\?ed over the booms ; and in direct proof that some of the Con- 
stitution's men were on board the Cliesapeako, three or four of the Guer- 
rierc's Ariericans, who, after that ship's capture, enlisted on board the Con- 
stitution,'* were among the prisoners taken out of the Chesapeake : and 
Mcrc immediately recognised by their former shipmates^ now, as stated be- 
fore. f serving onboard the Shannon* 

Even 44U, the number given as the complement of the Chesapeake iii 
Captain Broke's letter, was not founded on mere surmise. After the Ches- 
a:icalve had been several weclis in ilaiifas, a letter was found in one of her 
lockers, dated ia 1811, from Robert Saiitli Esquire, the then Secretary of 
State, to Captiin Samuel Evans, at Boston; directing him to open housed' 
of n^ndczvous for manning the Chcsnpeake ; and enumerating the diflerent 
classes, to the amount of 442. This, too, was in tifiies of profound 
pence ; when no Shannon was cruizing in defiance off the harbour. 

A{;ain, thfi Corgros;, of the same rate as theChL'sapeake, arrived at Ports- 
mouth N. Hampshire, according to a published letter from one of ht;r of- 
ficers, with 410 men of her crew on board ; besides having lost four by 
doafl!, and manntd a prize "with some others. 

^Ve have no doubt, that the Chesapeake's, complemvnt on going into 
actiofi, was upwards of 40.5 ; at which amount.thcreforo, it is iixed in the ta- 
ble.' Among the prisoners, there were but ten, distinguished by the A- 
nieiican oiTic^rsas boys ; and only three that would ci^me ruder that dc- 
iiominR_tion,oi bosrd a Uiitish ship of war. Of Danes, Sr.edcs, and black«, 
there appeared to be about thirteen'. 

I'he gunner, ]\Iattl\fe-w Rogers, wai; an Irishman : the C2rp>cntcr, Ceorge 
IMiUcr;,il)eIieved to bea native ofthis Protince. . There Avere six or eight 
more Brttis-h subjects among tiie prisoners. By some nii.smaiiagement, tlie 
fiisb nanicl, notoiious traitor,, iustead of being sent home for trial, wa*: al- 
lowed to return, hufgliiiiiC in hissleeve, to hi^ aJopJeJcoawtyy. 

T'lc" Chesapeake's mcn,-in gcneralj were rvmaiknijjy stent ; c^peciallyr 

■ "See abovL^p. l6. "" tiliiil. 



07 

Avhcft con{rast^^(l Wiih the Sluinnotrs ; most ot'nhom were raUtci* 
below tho middle Ktahire. Ah one proof of stoutness, the haiu'- 
ciifts that were on dock, ready to secure the Hriti.sh crew, c.iuscd, 
when ap|)l ied to the Avrists of the Americans, many of the latter to 
wince with pain. 

The Shannon mounted upon the ninin-t{cck,the same as the Ches- 
apeake ; ffpon the quarter deck, six thirty-two-pounder csrronade'i 
an 1 one long- !iine, of a side ; a twelve-poundcr-carronad? on (he 
starboard, and a brass six-pounder on the larboard side. To muko 
roosn for the.ie,both ganjj;-ways, had hcen» by CRptJJroke's orders, 
Convprtod into ports; and the long- niner, placed there. Two tweivn- 
pounler-carronades were also mounted as standiuf^- s'ern chasersi. 
()ii9 objoct in piacin™- thoai there, Af as to trim the ship. Li.oii lier 
farc-ca>t!c, the Sliannon mounted two thirty-two-pounr]or carron- 
ads3 and one long- nine, of a side; makinj< a total of 5S oims ; of 
which, 23 only could be used in t!>e broadside. She iiaci, we 
balieve, a swivel mounted in one ofher tops; but, havinj^ broUj'^ht 
the he:ivi«st broadside* into the estimate, and being uncertain as to 
the calibre of the swivel, we shall take no further notice ©f it. 

Captain ilrok?, in his tetter of challen£';e, says, " The .Shannon 
mounts twenty iUur g-uns upon her broadside, and one light boat- 
gun ; eightcon-pounders on her main-deck, and thirty-two-pounder- 
carronades oi\ tier '(uarter-deck and foro-castle." If there is here 
s.ny varialioi\ from the fact, it is that, insiead ofhavinf^ on her up- 
par b.ittcry all thirty-twos, she had iwoni)?f;s, of a side, besidoijher 
boat-guri. Yet the ediior of the American Porte-folio, ,has had the 
assurance to complain of Captain Broke, for having " under-rated 
his ship's force.'^ 

The Shannon had, on ftoing; into action, 915 officers and seainen, 
55 marine?i-, and 18 recaptured men, makinty 2S1 ; also 24 boys, 
(about thirteen of tlieai under twclveyears of ag:e,)nnd 22 landsrcon 
tVom Ireland, forty eight lioui's only in the ship ; of whom not more 
than four could speak a word of English, and not one of whom had 
ever been at fiea,until he took his passaj«e on board the Duck. We 
must, however, add them to thecomplemGnt ; which they therefore 
swelled up to 330. 

Three of the Irish supernumeraries fell in tan action. To say 
these rough sons of Erin, amidst the new and awful scene they were 
exposed to, behaved gallantly, would be superHous, considering- the 
land they came from. Their native valour may also have been 
whetted a little.by theireatmcrit they cxperiepcecl from the crew of 
the American private^er. 

The first public-account of the Shannon's aclion, estimated 

her co:iip]cnicnt at 33j ; iuchHlini^-, by mistake, the midshipman and 

four men, that were absent in thobriir William ; ami who again 

joined their ship, soon after her arrivui in Haliiax. lleie i« 

*Lp.ilt)oai;(i broadsiilt" j.Ti lbs. 




another inf^taroe orcorrc?ctness in Captain Broke's Ictt<?v of chal- 
l^Pfjp. He ptafed the Shannon's cornplcmont, to consist of ^'^"50' 
men nnJ bojs" ■ jet, Fay the Americans, " he undi'r-i'ated hisship'%5 

The airneneions of the tv/o ships appear in the tablev, The Shan- 
non, in her ni'j 
ceeded in hot I 
■ivould look by 

The Chesapeake was hnilt at Norfolk in 17.07; and cost, ^av^Mr. 
Clark, " 220,677 dollars and SO cents," ©r £bV£99 : 8. storlingr;i 
A V^iri^inia paper of that time, comments lier greatly, for niodelf/ 
strength, and workmanship. Previous to her capture, she Ii;»d un-' 
derg'oue a complete repair ; and, if no accident lijippens, will run 
fifteen years, before she requires taking- into dock. 
: Her fasteniOi';;^ are superior to sueh a;s live comu>oniy ase ; her 
peams throughout, ren-iarkabij close ; and her timbers considerablv 
«touter,<han any 3S's in the i^ervice. IJer bijl'*v3rkK,or lop-icidss,^.rc 
far thicker than those of a British, or Freneh-brjlt.SS ; and as solid' 
as live oak can make them. Her outside appearance ha^j bren 
much improyed in England, b^^iving her a fii;ure-head ; and the 
Chesapeake, although she was ''^' th'.> worst frigate in the navy" of 
the United Siate?, is now, confessedly, one of the finest of her class 
in tlie navy of Great Britain. 

The usual disparity between the combatants, in the !iei2;"ht of fops, 
did not occur in this case. The poor rifleri;an little expected to 
be so intruded upon, in his snug quarters, 'i'he. death-"=peeding 
tube, Kp often Ins friend, refured its accustomed aid. The arny,* 
not the eye,was noT\' alone \o save him. There he was over-matched; 
and soon thro'.vn head-long upon his ovvj) deck. 

The Shannon was built, by contract, at Chatham, in JSOfi. Ow- 
ing to two frigates of the same name* having been lost, the sailor? 
pronounced her (as the y\mericans Iravcthe Ciiesapeake) t'vh/rhy : 
and none wished to enter on board. Caplain i^roke was appointed 
toherin June,but didnot join her until the 14th of September, I S06. 
Her complement was made up ofdraughts from different ships ; and 
the men frequently quarrelled among themselves. Captain IJroke's 
judicious plan of discipline, aided by his fatherly conduct, soon 
reconciled all parties. He made them, in time, a fine shifx's compa- 
ny ; and this, although they consisted, for the most part, of theex- 
tremes of young and old. f 

His admirable system of gunnery, and the sights he employed 
upon his guns, were not recent measures. Captain i>roke had 

. I,.. ., . . \- > '' 

'lioUi built at Dt'plfoid; ono. a 23, <>; ,SBr tons, in 1757 ; tlir otli^r. a o2, orrCo lo^? 
in 1796. 

tMr. Sjf vens, the bopliwiun, was in Lcid Rt'dutj'i acti'on. 



m 

jiJ^oi-'ed thr^ utilily of both, four or five years before lie eiig;an^orl the 
Ghttsupealic. All the frij^ateson the Halifax station, early in 18IJ, 
had profited, more or less, hy the Shannon's example. 

it will now be proper (o s;ive the .Anierican account, of this de- 
cisiAe nnd quickly-dispaiched action. We will again rcler to 
Mr ('lark. He says: 

'*S' Shortly ofHer Captain liQwrence arrived at New-York, lie was 
nppointed to couimand the Chenapoake frigate. It was with re- 
luctance heacocjjtcd thecoinniand of this vessel ; for she was con- 
,sideredthe worst sbi^) in the navy. The Chesapeake then lay at 
Uoston, whither captain Lawrence repaired. When nearly ready 
for sea, the liritish frigate Shannon appeared olf the harbour, and 
made signals expressive of a challenge. A written challenge is al- 
so stated to have been sent by captain Brooke, the connnander ofa 
the Shannon, but which captain Lawrence never received. Fa\our-' 
able circunjstances, and superiority of force, vrere on the sic^e of the 
Shannon. The Chesapeake, oa the contrary, labonredundcr par- . 
ticular disadvantages. Her commander was very sliglitly acquaint- 
ed with hi» crew ; the greater part of whom were new recruits. 
She, as h.as l)een already observed, ^vas but an indiScrent vessel, 
and at the n^oment the Shannon appeared, v.as not in complete or- 
der for an en<Ta£>enicnt. But J.aMrence had himself challenged a, 
British vessel ; the sijilit of one riding in defiance before hiui, was 
too mu^h for his pride to bear. He, in consequence, put to sea on 
the first of June, having- hoisted a white flag with " Free Trade and 
^Sailors' Bights." He addressed his men in a short discourse, but it 
was received with no marks of approbation. Discontent was ap- 
parent among a part of the crew, and complaints were muttered of 
iiot having received their prize-money. The boatswain, a Portu- 
guese, was the principal instigator ofthis dissatisfaction. Law- 
rence, unacquainted with liis crew, resolved to remove tlie cause of 
their complaint* lie ordered the purser to give prize-checks to 
those who had received i:one. On perceiving the Chesapeake com- 
ing out, the Shannon bore away. The Chesapeake followed until 
4 o'clock in the afternoon, M'hen she hauled up and bred a guR. On 
this the Shannon hove-to. The two ve-^sels continued manoeuvring 
in silence until G, when they were within pistol-shot of each other. 
The actio!i then commenced by a tremendous and destructive 
broadside from each ves?»el, which, on 'ooard the Chesapeake, kslled 
the sailing-master, Mr. White, and mortally Avounded the fouith 
lieutenant, Mr. Ballard. A musket-bail struck captain Lawrence 
in his leg, and inflicted a painful wound. He however leaned on 
the companion-wav, and continued to command and encourage his 
Grew. A second antl third desliittlive broadside was discharged froi^ 
eacli ship, in which the Chesapeake har^ evidently the advantage ; 
])ut unfortijnateiy her first lieut. Ludlow was severely wounded, 
^nd carried below. Three men, in the course of 1? minutej, had 



70 

been succesrively shot down from her holm. A \m^Pa\ ^rtn'AiTe, 

>by Co^?tain Lawrcncti, (Jidjiioi tlahit' cjtjty. .The feliaun^on hifl &u,s- 
Ltai netl- «> jm uc h i j>i«i"y 'thst he r com ma n^ 1 e f,-C oni ra o J o r ^^ vo.ok e, ^^aa 
preparing to repc! wn_y altcinpi oritcaVuing- from (he Chesapeake* 
=13ut Jittfjrs moiii^nfe'ltrodhie.pcrcejviftc; ihro havsjch^s iire had ccca- 
sioned on the d«ck-:of the (Jhe^apeake, ji»mp§fl. 00 -.boarii hci with 
fibonii 20 inen- T^fey would -soon ho'vo been drive*! back, but all 
the oflic^r.- on dpdk were either killed or Avomided. T ho second 
*"li1e'vVf e^nft^Vi* BtV^tlv #hii cbfDniandiBd'th*! first division Jv&low, led up 
^irt^io'b'ogrd'ers f Brif 01^^^^ fifteen oYttrentytnen tblloued him. With 
■'these' he defended the ship iintil disabled by a wound.; Licutenont 
X/udhny, t%ou^;h Voirndcd, hurried oh deck, \'vhere hesoeu receired 
amorti?! Kfib'-e-WQund. Sixtj' additional tneit beinj^ lIiroxiTl bn 
b »Rr<,^ fiofa thy Shiuinon, the crew of the Chesapeake, wlio hi»d no 
oilicerto d'licci and r;Uly thftV,), were over-powDrecJ. The Chesa- 
peake, howevor, was not surrecdered by an act of submission, but 
: was taken possession ofby a for^Q tliat oyerwhclnjed all opposition." 
'^ 'i'.-iei.': renter part of the Americans were killed and wounded by 
the ljriti?h boarders. The I.jss qs the Shannon waa principally oc- 
casioned by the cannon of the (JhessjDoake. The latter received 
little injury in her hull : v.hereas the former had several shots be- 
tween wind and water; and had her crew been repelled in the at- 
tempt to hoard, she vV9nld in all probability have been captured."* 
fjot u* first endeavour to describe Mr. Clarke's " new recruits." 
Upon' the Chesapeake's arrival in Boston, ©n the ISth of April, 
(hose of hiT crew whose terms of service were expired, received 
their discharges. 1 he greater part, it is understood, re-entered. 
To fill up the deficiencies, four bouses of rende?:vou8 were opened. 
The niofnent a man declared himself a candidate, he received a 
dollar, and accompanifed an otficer tn the sl.-ip ; where he was exam- 
ined by a board of olTicers, consisting- of the master, surgeon, and 
.«piBe olheriP, as to his knowledge of seaoianship, muscular strength, 
^,:m(e, &c. I f fu • ly approved of, ha signsi** the articles ; gridlfentJiinied 
where Ue was. If rejec'e:', he returned home with a dollar in fiis pocket. 
Frequently, ontoflive boat-loads that would go off to tlie shi^jn 
tne course of the day, three would come back, not eligible. 5'' o 
uiucli for Mr. ('lark'n S^new recruits." 

Bus Mr. (yjarke the eOVontery to call " the boat.swali}, a Pcrtu- 
gnese^' ? — "The (.'hesapeake's boatfc-\vain was brpuj^ht io, rjiortally 
'-^woandi'd; and his name in the iigeat's book,. iis, "f*eter Adams." 
He wasboat^nftin »rtheCon:»tit!«iioi», vvUea sdic tookt'teGuerriere ; 
aiitl so l!»r from !)P)ni»- a •• i^outu^'uest*','''; or eveni a Britisli subject, 
was a native American. 

*N. II. Vol, I \> ioj. 'm 



7\ 

Durlivg her last cruize, the Chtba{)eake captured four pr'z-s. One of 
Tvhich, the V^olunteer, got in safe ; and was " said to bo worth jPl60,(K30 
2terHi>g."' Ifj then, there was any " discoufenl" about " prizc-in»ney," it 
nmst ha*e l^iefcn'^J^nrorjg' her former crevv ; which sufikiently explains, why 
the parser ■viras drdefwl, " lo gire priie-che^ks to those who Jiad received 

**• The cause ofcomplaint" thus etectuAlly removed,, the men would na- 
turally be irtiniuUted to niake more prLze-raouey ; and (what glee they 
iiiust ail have b«en in !) tha vtry object of their wishes, was beckoning 
them to come and tike her. 

Captain Lawrence was appointed to the CJiesapeake, aoon after Captain 
Evans aiiivcd. We know, that the American erews au kept conitantly 
diillodic^t (iiegnuj, in hajbour, as well as at sea. What auihoii(y,then, has 
MsCliik foi>a}iig thaTaslateas th« tirst ol' June,liicCheh.ajpt*kt;'a "cwui- 
iTiander was very slightly acquainted with his crew" ? 

Inconsistencies and contradictions, are Indeed so glaring, in tvery part 
of this apologetii'ai essay, that to dwell upon them any longer, would be 
taxing the reauer'is patience. 

Wliccher or not a hand-grenade was thrown from the Shannon, w e arVj 
unable to say. British hand-grenades are uot, howevt-r, such fri;jhtful 
things as those Mr. Aladison has authorised the employment cf.* Tl.ey 
are ouly small shells, confaitiing aaout a pound aud a half of powdti. 
Dn the iiome-stations, British ships are siipplievl with then ; but they are 
Stldoin used, merely causing smoke and confusion. 

Vie shall not honour Mr. Low, by citing any of liis tjash on the morli- 
fyiu^ subject, beyond what may be necessary to shew, Ijow happilr he 
cliitays iii witii hi* fellow-iabourer, Mr. Clark. Thus ,: wliile the ''• Naral 
History" dubbs tiie Chesapeake '* the wont ship" in the American navy, 
the " Jiijtofy ©f tktiiwai-^^ declares Ihe Shanuon, " the beit fri<^ate ia the 
British navy.-'v ; • 

Li most of our uasuecessful actioas, the nuiaericul aupcrioriiy of <ha A» 
mericans,, has anjo^iuted, by tlia tinjeUhe Hag wa.a stiuok, to tw», thrcej'our, 
aud, ia some instauces, sotcu to one ; acci in na^al uctiosis atnerally^ Ih* 
^onc^uorarS'ont-uur.iber their piisoners. iiut, if we take Uni wkolt; thai; 
, Wrfice aliw t.i eCiOh sidcj the leverst; was the fact, when the Chaiapeakesur- 
:, rendered to the Shannon ; the former having 32(i, the latter only 507jhand'j 
ouboaixl. Ijy jetiving oiit the badly wounded on both siiJes, tiie uau.ber^i 
are mad* ecjual, 2S3 each'. Look at the relative numbers that were on beard 
the Chesapeakej when her crtw *' were overpowered"; fixing the uujrber 
©f boarders, as Mr Clark has done^ at 81 .•-Yet the ship " wab taken pos* 
l^ssienof by a force that overw helmed all opposition." ! !, 

Although the' tSfitish fri2;ate, in broadtide-w-eightf of meUi, man, a^d 
six >, was one'fcnlh inlcrior to ihu Aoicrican, We consiti.^r ii — an equal 
match. At the same iiar», niueh credit is duetcsCaptaiii fireke, for ];a\in^ 
4on* the business 'SO qai.c".iiy ^ as well as for huTinf sought au*l coniniejitvd 
the attack, close upon aiven«iviy's siioie ; w he.re, in the event of a lorg ac- 
tion, crippled ships, and a covitlacuijce of tilt- pievaiiing ii^ht air, a fie>h 
force would kave asjsailcdthe Shi;»noi'iv ur.d iif-ieadly poit btcti t'p«;w ty liie 
g'hesapeake. 

*:>«); belew p. 7-1. tLow'N Hi^t. ct\I:e V7ai- f, Sb- 



;2 



I.ajino- asiiio iho'^c '' favourabk' civc'a'nstar!0.e-,''.the well -proved 
skill and valour of tbo 8lvohnp_a\< crew,' n'oufd, ([-prp can he liUl.p- 
('^ouht, have onsiire;! succe?S5lia] loiig- rao'-T^ h'2cn the Chesapeako'rf 
choice; and, >%ith he(-,ps?,sfi|esai^i7,pf ihq' .weapipex^-gage^thp battle 
bren protracted to ^'qmp' jipurjj, iiii,steiid of beipg QVfir wl th,ipbort 
f pace of fo'irtcen mii'iUtoA. , ,■ 

'J'o coiJV(;Y as-liglfl, ide,y, h(?{% tjjf? loss of; tjiis, frigate, ajtho'jfi,h 
'the woiftt ship iu (lip'.Biwv/' Wsi? jOQeivec] b,^ the people of l!ie 
Ijiiited States, \vv,vr?nti5re to Fu5>iuiii a'i\ exlnicl of a letter, wiitten 
in the a'jtuir.nol" li)l3, bv an I'iri|^li&h;nan;-tUen residi^ii^ at P;»ila- 

(dclphia ; ' . , M , ' : ; 

"Oil fSattjj:dav, June the 5th, aocqnii.t!? arrived here fr pin Boston, 
■Ihst the Chesap'eake had sailed uiU to nlia/'l^ the Shannon, }vhowa»; 
Matiini>- for her oh'tiie port. Jvdph j^reeted his neiohbonr on the 
expected victorj : ctid the av 
their peiiciit, to run through 
? avy-lii-t pr.sted y.p en the U 
tke upper or Aincrrican part. ^. ,, 

" IVext dav, about noan, c:iii!f' a}?o(her account. Ail n^-^cked to 
the Excliange, to know tlie triitli of so " improbsiblqV '•"! event. 
!By 2 o'cloclc. Honth-^^econd street br.car.ie jibnoi^i iRipaHsable. Aqiii 
the crowd collected in fro.'itofthe cofiep-^room." 

" With many, tlie diiiner-hour caine in vain : l\i^ sippakipg joint, 
cooled, u!itasted, on tiie table. The Sabbath na^ -forgotfeen, and 
i.ratyr,Sj(Ojf every sect, dit-coursed ihvil evening; to empty bencheK. 
uLe print in;;- pj'ss^.eo were pat in ujotiGn;*oon a]7pcarcd, rcan;K 
of'haud-bills, l-parinp; on top, by v/ay of corrective to the bitter po- 
tion„ the cajjture of P'ort-George ; then, th^ reported oue ©fth® 
" unlucky" Chesapeake." 

" On Monday, the hour of post saw hnndredp, with o|oon»y \ii- 
ap;es pacing tim tlroet to and fro ; l«okin(^ occaslpnally at thei^ 
v/atches ; as if to interested Time Idmself in their perturbed feel- 
ings. Others, on foot and on liorse-bsck, went forward to uay-!ay 
the tardy mail. It camo, and iirougitt, — cruel jL|ij:vjp.ppi|ii.»iyi/Jiit!~a 
Tiij-vc echo of the preceding day's nev.b," ,... ^ ,.. ., .(.;>; 

'• On Wednesday, ;i foderi^l paper had in, |a .-ar^ctgrftj t|\fi 

chccj-iug- Avordi^, — '' Cljes.npeake not take:) ;"— i^ouiided. r.u the- 9ii?- 
jsortjon o,f sf»rij.c fishrrnien, who declared that, when tiioy saw liie 
t\vo vessels, t!>e Shannon was running away, and tiie Chesapeake in 
i'liil pu|-suil," 

^' This "accorded so weil with .the general opinion of Apierican 
|MC>yvp.§s, an the c^'e ^fH'.d, and o^iftSi n«ltural c.onseitpjopce, British 
j^iijuvhs, on llieoihrr, th;it niJjny gavc,creditt(^the hshprujen.'.s etpry." 

•• Tli I's Journal, another fpder^i pirint.,,wdsc]y ac^punt^ 

fcii for a'li Uie prcyion? niiFtake.-;, by supjjQxin^ fciuit the re/^-Jo.okiuf; 
flag hoioted on board the Chesapeake so soon after the" two Hl;if»'k 
closed, wa.« notth.e Brili-h ciisii;i^ as averred by HCveral, but ih,'.*-- 






' Oi- bloodij fia^-, run np as a 'i^iial that— no quarter '^t oxjl;[) bk 
»u*U'N, be<^itsc combustible, luaterialb- had been thiOAV.'i Trto (iic 

'■^•'Tiiiyjuleii ffosvtiddotvii tbc tliro.it like molasses and tt|iHc;'ainl 
iis'eiiecis Niere'soofi visible in the altered countenances' ori5c\-tor 
yi/'t'orX/c'i- patients," ;"' 

'- "^'' Jt ha.j beyn (loiibted by many, whether these two rcs(oia*^ive 
UnUi.ohts, the"'^ tr^'h^nnen's story" and the " bloody flajj^J," Sycre 
ir6'tc9P.ipt)i{indeTl by dnier of liieBoanl of Health ; theiiet-pondinj^- 
JM)k's' ot'the^'citi^ens portending, rcali}', a v/oi3o disease, than theii' 
.eiuhMiiial pl.ague5.tr)eyello'.v fever." 

-^**- lfo\V€'ver,after a week ot'suliering-,snch aS'no humane man could 
vvi*ib, even ail enemy to endure, a ilalilax accoi\nt confirmed the 
%\'ori(t;"^ • 

" The national feeiings.galled as they arc, it is now attenlpte d to 
liealjby.^-oundly proclaiining-,the decided superiority ofthe Shannon, 
in size,' g 15*1 s, and men; and that Gcaie Britrih sailors that uere at- 
I idtnll ^ oi\ board the Chesapcai;e, •■"' all ran below, wliili siot a 
native .iruerican fchruiik from the conflict." " 

•• A Uakiniore federal editor discovers a .par(acea in '^"her f.ai? 
never having been struck as an acknovviedgenient oTdcfeaf, but on 
the contrary waved to the last ;" " and g-ruvely adds, — " " It id au 
awful warning 16 tJiein oi'uhal they are to expect iVora an encoun- 
ter With ftfir ship^^or#ar.-' " 

'' AstoCJaptain Broke. he is declared to be a talLravv-boncd Isish- 
irian/ji3 B*,r6h<>- as San'.pscn, and perfect master of tiie broad-swor;!, 
which; by all actoant, he d(>aU aboiit him jiiosl lustily." 

'•'■ Tlicn, says a Boston editor—'- '-Boarding- is a dt rtiier and des- 
perate resort ; and leading the boarders, alvk'ays a duty aiisigned to 
the tirst lieutenant."" ' , / 

; ■'^' A'liotlier modeht editor observes, — " ^' If afVer being out of port 
felit'hVe hiQjur^l put- vessel stood aoy thin^- iike'.an equal chaiice, it 
i^'fubto'ch^ she Would have carried the Shannon, if the Cheiapeake 
'had ■Ueen.'atfeea ten (iays before the enfiagaiDent." '*— Another la- 
ments "•' that Captain i^av/rence did aot receive Captain Urolie'sj 
ifelter'ot'c^3.i!^n».e befplre'.'hie iailed^ t(fat he might haVe becii tielib- 
ei-at^lV preparMibr the baltlfe:'"" :i>' - 




^ 

'<rd-''e;elting-r8a'<^y trii-p.ial t^ : tiien ;iti>(»-3'i^^>!>^^ ,''» 'Jii.at:?. ,' " ^ ,, 
'>'^^-bt'fi^cniy \\\^\iH pr^Vl(ius- 15 t'fii^ JortnnaU- ii!retrn^-;\?K^MJ'f)nJ7jJ-- 
'/^'cVr'iiiuV' bo str>>!)ObiVd'to jaVs an-fve'j jiitii'tfeiiif i*/,l't:f^ c-iisiiVi^d 



ill. 1 U . 1 i '4 



74 



here Ui.T-f, •tJ tWiaorntiig of the batflc, Cowmpclore BaiabrltTpo urgf d, 
Captain I^awrcnce to take on board <heCliesap»*akc, the five gun* forBJt-riy > 
helongi^g to ber ; 'but that J!r replies!, he would seud oi> shcre sixoflhojii; 
lie t^eq.hari90;Jlw>3rdjia6d braig^Uithe Siwnncm thatii^ipe.nftgMiodij.J' .- .sin 

''wiL/=.\ii5'>')»h'"':ii" ^";-^rr S i-si ■->■* '.'■^ "M''<r ,i5'iT}^.-t\7;on c.<ii*->5, OK^of? A 
r ipure fl IS ('ailed a siar-shpt. Jt is made oi wrougpt-iroii ; aflo, wne^ 

dischefg"d frora the gun, rxpands like figure e. I'lach arm is abput f \^o , 

fret'ia'iV'ng^h. Rome of these shot had iivc, others three aiips- I'ig.'fre. ^ ' 

Is e^Htd {r.'"i^i3'fn-shbl ; also of iTicught-iron. It^ citeridciQ leiiglh'is si^ r 

c 




feet ; doubling up to the length pf. 
afoot. Fisure <r is an Aiaerioa^"" 

a 'iOTC. J 



Fi;gure <r is a^n Aiaeriq 
double-headed &" 
together ' with 






diot. ,ri)> a )OTC. ,' 
smgle iron bolts, 
rrow-bars, i)roken marliiia-spikes. . 
- ^c, were taken-oi|t pi the Vvhesa- .^. 
peuke/The wh<>le,Aie!gnuijr neariy 
y a ton,uere'sold, at auftioti iri,HaI*v 
ifax; and thegreaferp?iirt IjaVsInce 
been cornTrted intt» ijorse-Jrho.es^nit 
Of'><»r article? of inriorervt utjlity. .. 

Figureir/ is cornijosei^.^f ti\o bpU 
low half-spher6s|^ pf ' wf<^(l, ,^b'out;- . 
half an inch thick./ Tjirou'h t^e ., 
t-wo,abcut ninety lf»rg^e nail^^arc drj- 
_ ■?€■;! j 80 that thpi^r, points pr*jf£t 
.! outside. Two grape-shot Hretajd-, 
in one half ; and .(be vvbole glue^, ., 

l^kHjrrtiss^^ , ;,.,VM.M 4'"^ the following, japer label past. ,! 

rd between the nails : " P^t^cnjt, 
Forcupine hjind-grenad^S, jinjidp 
br rs'iclj^lasCnarhia, No, 1>, Chatham street, Ne^\-Yojkv'|^^1'|ii5/w/f«Uff\ 
Rfrair,"nailsftnd all, is just Feven inches in diameter.. Figure, r is^jfi^tar-shot * 
rf a_. dlfl[frcTit description /rora ^^ Figurey is a ffojitj,aJ^d, ^ ;> siijr-viewf.af;,^ 
the ?^iT^(e,^,whcn n»adc up, readj'io be, introduced; inj^thp^un.. The haivJ-ji 
grenade and theljstshotjVr.ere tak^a out ofan American aimed Tcssfl brought;- 1 

'* TrrM^rl^jO ^«'3bfiilO^Tf.CJTO^i(Eif^>]-l^vv)-•fhl,t) J£l;ui9 ifO>ji<jOi.-n nsoil-.ri. 'Mi i' 
jwj«iiiii:0d r ')bie B lo fiii! r:nnJ ^f.o bns ,eb£noTffiO-}BO(i-T)bnooq-9"»l;:v; r 
id (25/i» owJ i?jd #dT 'IT^Tb^'iJ .' v.i-uj-tI viri-di« .^iiibfiisi? 8,R l)oiKrjom aoxi'' 
Lftfdrneg^i ^iid p.iiiT .>f*8 3Ht /r= no^d ST.rf istJod b/iii jboinuoD art! Jaum v^^ft 
■Ddl a'ibiasd t^ble s'io •jlno sjfiug 54X).i^ait bluo> bnu ; *.^&\■i^"•\^ lo f!iad><» H* 

.irrjj:-if o«i 
i«9?di! anisd nom ^ARGis'S-attd PELICiN./ i'fiw Inflniofqnisa v.H 

rhcrencan afriTca at Cork from a cruize, on fhe l'2th of Anffiifi*{^ "ktiil?',) 



■r\K *;ffibn3f Ist'tA 

U=:'dJ 'to o-w'ilj .^J 



fei;U 



7.f 



iXT 



& 



.» hirh feaiibfeeircaihmittij^ serious <l?i>re^latlon9 oai comwercfe in St George 
fljAnuci. i .nue ^'-'i s.i» .-^-A «^<J "o ojJbJ ol r>ooi7/»a MKia ■ J' 

l'otttfnat3ly,-i fire cif hrr o-.vn making, (V.scoT<ired'-tln» Argu«», a^ f«nr'(f- ^ 
c]f>c.k dh thoonioining of Iho 1-Hh, in latitude 5v;^ Ift'-N; longitrrte 5° 5f/ '^ 
W. She made iio attempt to esca|je, her coniuiaiuler being confident, jis 
it a ftr^rward« appeared, of taking the Pelicaj. „^ ^ . , . 

At 15 A. M. tfir> Ar^ns firr<l Ivor btrad'ide ; \VSTcK^Wtfi't](lfc:kly returned. 
A close aclien "©"»'" ensued, within muskit-shot riiftance : and ronUiiuwl 
lutfil" forty fhreemtnutes pT«t nit ; when tlio Argiis ivas biOarded Of th<j;^^ 
•tarb»ard boW ; ihi lirare William Youni; who led tlit'wirty. rec^iTltif hi'j ,f 
(Leath'from thr fore-to)), just as lie stepped upon (lie enemy's giui-whak. .^ 
Tfi'i AiieiicaiM did not oC'or to rally ; but irauicdiately liinlrd dowa their 

'l*he Argu3%-a8 forerabrvru? up la her bnll -buf,-We^ tlio Chesapeake, 
had HO spar shot away. /She lost in the action, two Hiidsliipinen and four 
sea'mcii, killed.' | lifti: ' commaoder, . (a bra^e olacer,) carpenter, one boat- 
s\vain\ ipatc, and oneseuman, mortally ; h?r first Heuteuant an<l fite sea- 
men, severely, and oijjht others, slightly wounded ; total '24. 

On board the Pelican, two shot passed through t ha boatswain's and car- 
pen ter*sfcab ins.' Her sides were filled with grape-shot ; and her rigging 
and sails injured a good deal. Eren her royals did not^ ($cap? i but no 
spar Avas seriously hart. She lost one seanian killed, bi^sides the master'^ 
niate,Mr. YoungJ.and five seamen slightly wounded; total 7. 

Tiie American brig mounted nine twenty-four-poander cRrronade*, and 
one long tvvelye, of a side : total 29. She had ten broad5-ide-poit_9j witj^ut 
a bridle : and vas a remarkably well-eqaipped vessel. y -^'^ -*Jj5S 

She sailed from America on the 21st of June, w ith, as appears by a New^ 
York "^'aper, her full complement of men ©n board. Aftei^ landing Mr. 
<;ra\vford,/the'|miu)s';-er, at L.'Ori;;nt, the Argus cruized near'tho Irish c^ast; • 
wh^i^,Sd['uri'ng "^^pec^od of more 'than five weeks, she capturtd twenty sail 
of ve'ssfe\s 7, des^i-m'jngln oftlVein but four. Two of these) Wie gave up to 
.the^]insrinsi>'; and' two others^ tlvs Matilda and Betsy, she rnanned and or- 
der^icJ ?nv''H^a6^'i3^re-capturecl l)y the Revolution&xf^Of^'^^her bj^ilio 

i^eoniaaS. , , , „ , .< 

™'-ori^lHkT'c'5ft\Mp'en?pt''f^e Argus was 1,49 ; but,, haying ^^lapued ^ ,, 
)0%??"*Vd*v^STelW"sheiTaa in th^'k^tl6nl^6 ; z\\ of which, 'exfc^ept .^'#6' biv,^"^ 



The Pelican mounted eight thirty-fwn-poun^crcarronades, oriesTifnlng 
twelre-pounder-boat-carronade, and on? long six, of a side ; besides two 
-ixes mounted as standing stenrsrh'RraTS rtdfat^n Th« last two sixes, a§ 
Ihey must Ire counted, had better have been in the sea. This brig ressnibled 
• iTothers of her class ; and coAiJd £ght^i»c gnus only of a side, besides thj 

Ht c»mplemp.at was l^t j bilj JS" «ias*ei?'a»ii*iST8 men being abseiii 
^n a priz?, she w«at into aetioa with only 116 ; inchidiiifi; a jreat |)r«u)opB^ 
j;ion .of boys;- - - -'i^ ■ ■ -' 

l-oa^:? aftentbtactioav^dptAi!* Maples dippatchcd theAfgns tn Plyttiofetjii^ 



To 



Siiinse]rproceedhi» to Corlv, to rrhica statiou tjife Pqlicafi belonged. 




tain Maples niust liavo obtained all ihliv-frofn tlio AfVitjrhan'.ojiicers; 
tvho,exc<.>pt the wounded, had been laiceu.on board tUf.-lV' ilea n. *3 !ie 
tonnage meant, of couis*;, Aniericrin meas(H'enieiJ.t. The other 
stateotents were ascertained to be iiicorrect, as £ocm as ihe Jit'^us 
arrived at a British port. 

The Arji'us avus built at Hoston in 1802-3, io-- 5;c>verii«nt'nt-service. 
Her bulwarks were verj high ; and coni?ti'Licteci\vTth tho. u'-tial-re- 
gard to the safety of the men. She Syasaryery^wil^i' sailer ;' and 
nossessed great stability. Notliiiig bat her age,prevehtetl her from 
beini; added to the Ijritish navy. 

The United States' goTernment-print, the " Natioaal ^h'telllgen- 
cjer," speaks of the Argus thuK: " 8iie is admitted to be one oT the 
finest vessels in theservice of her class ; and, tt^o incdi^^l of sucli a 
vessel is certainly inestimable."— liut, reud«r, uiavkjtnis, >yas pre- 
vious toher capture. ..' . 

The dimensions of both brigs will be found iuTablcT. Thn ad- 
ditional breadtJj of the Pelican alone, makes her esict'ed thexirgus 
in tonnngo. The latter was a mud! heavier rigged vessel ; vvhich; 
added to her encreased length, made her appear larger on the wa- 
ter than the Pelican. 

We shall not say, as the Americans did, in the Hornet and Pea- 
cock's action ; that twenty-fours are as good as thir(y-tv,'os.* Wo 
know better. The Argiis n!ount*d, l;owever, long twelyes to long 
sixes, Snd her broadside-weight of metal, was within one sixth of 
that of her adversary. In men, (and the ac.tiou .^^as <].uf,te close,) 
ihew ay superior in the saau; proportion. ifoiw then are we 
to account for losing but one niau. killed by shot, durtOij a carronade 
of forty three minutes ? — It would appear, ibat t]ie Auieiicans per- 
form best in gunnery, wlien thtfy T.ave higlipJ.dsiM thfjivX^,VPP'*j. 
^ The Pelicau'tiinea deserve credit for fniiig (setter. iKan counuon; 
andsp do her oilicers, for having drilled thenvyt t}«e guii^. ^ , 

iiow coiisolotary it is, to compare the condition, of- the least, da- 
maged of()ur.'.si,x captured bi-ig-Hloopf, ^t,tU&,ni.oi^tu^ W'si?r,rend<?r, 
with that oftfc.0 (J- States' sloop of vyar;,, .Vrg,uii)»'^,.,'i'lipr^, t^p.ho:4il<" 
crews, how stood their relative, ruiajber^.,', |)((^4'M<!"i ^VDiin.,,tfi^,fir,cy/ 




and physical superiority'" of the Americ^ljPjj.q.v.ei: 
abcnit wbicU th;;y ;-o e\.iltinj;!y dec'aiin. 



\ei: (^e- IJnUijh sailor^ 



•**ff :iBevc p. 



71 

h would have ploasod ub ])8lJer, had th% Argus aud i*tlican 
"v-N, in f'Ui^s/mOreoq tidily matclijed : y^'t, in hroacisiide-weif^ht of 
n^eiaf, nion,' and Pixe, coUortively, the former was only one thirty- 
fiftb' pferiorj The Shannon was one tenth infrrior to the (Jhesa- 
])ciiUc ; aiui wc ctillod that an eqnal match, llut iheAmcricans, atV 
ier all,pay us too hjoh a compliment, to admit the same, between 
two vessels of far '!ess dir-parity of foroo. the Aiv^iis and Pelican. 

No An-erican official account appearing, until upwards of.eight- 
ecn moriths after the action, Mr. Clarii had to rely upon his own 
powers of exaggeration, for saving' the honour of the ?iation. He 
bo^iins : " The Pelican, carrying Si^s'uns, tiie largest brig but one 
in the Britisli navy, (probably, the Peacock is here meant,*) fell in 
v^ith llie Ari'iis. A very desperate eneagenient ensued, and lasted 
forty three minutes, when the Pelican succeeded in capturing the 
Argus by boa^din,'^ The ^]ngli■^h newspapers .«tato the loss ofthe 
Auiricfins in killed and wounded at forty. The Pelican was iij 
every respect a superior vessel to the Argus ; ehe was of 4S5 tons 
liurdVn.' '}Jer shot in pounds was GCO. The burden of the Arx^-us 
\>as 298 :" her 'shot in pounds 402."t 

This " desperate" affair was far too modestly related, to suit, 
witi!0'.itsomealtera(ion,thG '" History oftheWnr." Although that 
" faithful record of events" waspuMi:«hed three months^ after Lieu- 
tenant Watson's official letter, (wherein the Pelican's force inguns 
is accuralelj given,) \md goRe the r<»iind ofthe American papers ; 
and although the title-page of the work assures us, that the con- 
tents have been " carelully compiled from oiTicial documents,'* Mr. 
Low introduces the following ^'impartial" statement ofthe force 
of the two vessels : . ' 

" Jro-us — 16-24; pound carronadcs, 3 long 9's — ^Ijurthen 2.98 ton?, 
nien fit for duty, 5 sick, the rest absent in prises. — Pelican — 





iSij." The first thing thf^ striked us is, the precision of the writer. 

lie states the action io have cornr>ienccd'at (5 ; and to have end?d 

I 

im- 

he 

,that 

this gallant defence against '■' superior size and m?tal," lasted two 
hours, instead of forty seven niiautes. 

The force of the Argus is not stated ; no^r* the Pelican's loss, oi 
mimbof of men, in the action ; but the letter contuiris an addition- 
\-a1 e'xGt.!!^ for the capture, as novel, as it is ri(iiculou8 ; no less than 
^^' the fatigue which the crew ofthe Argus underwent, from a very- 
rapid "^ucce'ssibh'of captures." 

* See above p. /JO. t N. H. vol. i, p. gj;,. ; Hirt. ofihe War, p. H? 



This <• lapid succcs^icsn cf capiurcs," iutnfy in J^ll, occiipiod a period 
rf thirty tiiilit d:iys. But, aricr mi niucli buistiiig ^hout the '•• snpejfor 
valour of the Ajiiericau tar," something ua8 ra[uirud to account for l'i(5 
American?, fuJlv arincU and prerjaied, yielding, without a f-Ouffslr. i* 
IHBritorsl ' *"* 



'(Y) 
iJSSEX and 



pncEBi:. 

ClIERUI?; 



• - '. . . 

Aheut tl.'j middle cf Februarj-, the Phoebe and Cherub arrli'ed at Val- 
paitiiso, South America ; where they found, lying atanclior, tlie Esses 
ABtricc'i frigate, hating in company, an armed priiic-ship cf iiO jjr.ns and 
GO nitn, named the lls^sex-Junior. 

On the 28th of March, when the two American ships had appointed a 
rcndezTous, and arran^'^ed every thing for mailing, a fres^h brctze fiom tlib 
southward drove the Essex to sea. Site braced cloie up ; and, in atUinpt- 
iny to pasj tc-v\!nd\rard of tlietwo British sliips then ciuzijig otf (hepoit^ 
carried away h?r niaiii-top^niast. She now tried to regain the liniit:^ of the 
j)ort ; bat, fiudintj she could not, ran into a small bay on the tast side of 
the harboMi', and Itt go her anchor, "within pistol-shot of th^ shoio" j 
where, with iprir.js bu her ealijes, she aw»lttd the attaclt. 

The I'l cebe, MJiich was the weather-mo^t ship, having lost the ate of 
her iruiB-»ail, jib, aiid main-atay, wat, uaahle to beat up agaius,t a strong 
•VI hid, so as to clobo the Essex, ualil thirty five iniuutes pabt hvc. TJie ac- 
u«ikthen C'JD^nigaced ; und at twenty tiimutcs past six, the Eit^ex surren- 
llfred. 

The Chciub uscde«tjy eJ^eition figaiust the baCliiig winds and 6ccasion- 
al calu!,'., v.hica liillosved the heavy tiling, to clooc neitr the Essex ; with- 
out which, LertiUtery, eoubisting cf cU curront.deSj (c-teept otie lowgsix of 
n bl<]#,) could produce no tfftct v.hatcrer ; hyt she did not sscceeri. 

Th«* upper works, masts, and liiJi^ing of the Essex were much dani.i?ed ; 
but she vas not in tuch a state, as to jiive the slightest tause of alaun, 
jcspfidr.^ her b<ri«gable to pcrfonc a ^oy-rtge to Euiopti Svitij pe jf«( t safe- 
ly. In Captain Porter's laujjuUiJO, (he injuries of the lis sex are d<»crib«l 
thus : **■ i<,l\ ship \ytii cut 8p iu a wannef wJiich was, peihap?, never belt re 
vntiu'i-'jod. The shattered state of the Esser wiU^ 1 Jiieli<i\fe, pr^vtiut fe.n' 
*ver njiCiiirpj Knjjlaiul." 

Tbe Essex lost in theuetion, by Captiiln Poiter'j nccnuct^ ber iitut and 
i'u'nA iieatenatis, an<i fifty u\x • anun and niuiii.fe*, Lil-l»sd aiul iTiortaVly 
tiuuiivlKd ; hor nias(«r aud Uiirty «ijiht seamen srvereSj , and two ifiidshrp^ 
nien uiul twer.iy four StaUicn, sli^ijtly vvo^unded ; tclal 1'2J. But only 
twenty three uic-n were found dead or, board ; and ouly forty two of tlit* 
pii.ji,ct^, 1''} ill ;.i:U.littr, (sii.*i;o:; tf\^htch Isdbtm sav«ci froni (iiowjilu^ 



7» 

by the Plioebe's people,) were wounded. Three ofcthe wounded, Captain 
Jlillyar stales, were taken away by Lieutenant Downesofthe Essex- Junior, 
during the action. Capt.Portor applies the term "missing" to thirty one men* 
by which' he makes ttieloss of the Essex to amount, altogether, to 151. 
*W'fFH§fe^a'n'be"ri'o"dcnil)t^ that theloss of the Essex in killed and wounded 
'Was gfrcil'tly exaggerated,' to make her defence appear the morb hdhonrable. 
Thc'eariiagcde's^ritj'ed byCaptaiu Porter, is not reconcileable w ith the sU-jlit 
injury done to the hull of the ship ; nor with the number of killed and 
wounded found on boai-d of her, and knowni to have been taken away. — 
Twenty three killed, and forty five wounded, are in the usual propor- 
tion ; which strengthens our belief, that none of tke killed had beea 
thrown overboard. 

The Phoebe's injuries were triflii\g. She had a few shot-holes between 
wiud and water, which wewgot at without lightening. Her main and 
mizen masts, and her saUs and rigging, were rather seriou»ly injured : the 
latter, she partly replaced out of heV well-stored prize. 

Not the slightest damage in hull, spars, rigging or sails, is stated by 
Captain Ilillyar, to have befallen the Cherub. A shot from one of the J^- 
sex's long guna, must, howeyer, ha\e reached her ; to account for the small 
loss she sustaiiied. 

Captain Porter giTes the following gloomy description of the three ships 
^fter the action ;^^" Both the Essex iand Phcebe are in a sink^ing state; 
and it was with difficulty they could be kept afloat, until they anchored in 
Valparaiso lieit morning ; and I also think it will be out of their powei- 
+0 repair the damages of the Phoebe, «o as to enable her to doable Cape- 
Horn. AH the masts and yards erf the Phoebe and Cherub are badly crf{)- 
pled, and their hulls much cut up ; the former had eighteen twelve-pound 
shot thfsdgh her, belorvr her water-line; some three feet underwater. 
Nothing but thf Smoothness of the water saved both the Phcebe and Essex." 

As tfii|ht bie expected from Captain Hillyar's account of the damttge,s of 
the Phoebe, she lost only her first lieutenant and three seamed, killed ; 
four' ieattieri'a^i'd ftVafijttPS, s'evefely, and three, slightly wounded ; total 11. 
The Clienib iosi one marine kilied ; her commander, severely, and two 
marines, slightly wounded ; total 4 ; making the loss on board both ships, 15. 
'•The i'j^^ex moiifitetl twenty thirty-two-pounder carronades and three 
long twelves, of a side ; making 46 guns .-—a tolerable armament for a 32- 
gUil frigUte.' She was compleatly stored and provisioned for six months. 

-Previdtis'tb her leaving the Delaware, in October 1812, she had a com- 
,p.1ement'bf^28*?of which'^leven oiily rated as " land^men,'^ according to 
tlie list of th{^ '(^evr, at page 4 of that jumble of filth and falsehood, the 
('''Jou rtrai bf aerate," '^jnblished l>y Captain Porter, ''■ = 
jaMNfne'Mneri befiig left behind, sick, :the Essex sfiiledon her laSt crui«f», 
with 310. ; Upon her arrival in the Pacific, she recaptured tiie crews of 
some -Aniericaiv whale-s-liips ; :and, during a cruixe of six months, captur- 
ed ten other wbalefs under the British tiag ; but mostof thism partly owneil 
und 'maimed by AmericaTls. The united crew;* of these Anglo-Am'jrrcan 
-^hi])! amounted to 302; many of whichjCipt.Porter s+ate3,entfr>;d on board 
^,he Essex.' TMfb or three' oi the prices,. he fitted: out as cruizers ; and, a- 
fiiong them, the Atlantic of '365 tons} which wrts named the Essex-Junior. 
yfiAs saoonas tlie B^ttT'a|»pro*i.'h of tfee Pheebe was briiiging the action t* a. 



^0 

rlocc. Captain Poiier toolc atlvaniaje oftbc Ef^^cx bclrf^ ''(liret* 
quarters of a mle from the shorej" to di'cct Ruch cifiiiimnnas 
could suim, to nake their csrape. In his oHi' ial let<f>r, he. pre- 
trnds, that " th*' flames bursting; up each liatchway" was Iiis rea- 
5»on ; but \vc hear of no traces of fire bein^j ;5een, when the ship was 
taken possession of. 

" Our boats," says he, *' were destroyed by the enemy's shot ; 
J therefore directed those M'ho coii^d swim to jump over-board, 
and fudcavour to g-ain the shore. Some reached »t ; some were 
taken : and some perished in the attempt ; but most preferred shar* 
ino; uith me the fate of the ship." 

We have the number of those thnt 'f were taken," and of the 
"missing," or those that '^perished in the attempt." Thf> onlf 
'^ifiiculty is.as to those that "reached (he sliore." Ilowe^sy it would 
have been to enumerate the latter ; and then v. e shotild have nr> 
dispaite, about the complement of the Essex on goi!iginto action. 
When we refer to the '" Journal of a cruize," and find so many un- 
important events minutely detailed, we have no plea for ascribing 
the above omission to Captain Sorter's remip?ness. 

All the ship's books having been destroyed, Captain IJillyar had. 
to rely upon Captain Porter's word, as to the number the Essex 
victualled : which he then stated at " upwards of 260 ;" but has 
since reduced to 255. The " Journal of a cruize" certains so ma- 
ny acknowledgments of Captain Porter's infringementofhis word, 
when he had a purpose to g-'iin, tbat we value it not a rus^Ii ; and as 
to his " honour, — the strongest bond I can give," he says. — we 
would not disgrace the lowest seaman in his ship, by supposing him 
possessed of so little. 

Taking "those that could swim" and reached the shore, and 
those that escaped in boats, to amount to, at least, 100 ; and adding 
thereto, the G8, Killed and wounded, and the 119, prisp!ie,rs receiv- 
ed unhurt, we have, for the Essex's complement, . 287. V-r-jprobably, 
much beneath what it really %vas ; for were we to add 154, being 
Captain Porter's " killed wounded and missing," to, the. 119, re- 
ceived unhurt, (the usual way of fixing the ©omplement,) the a- 
mount would be 273 ; exclusive of the ^' some" that reached the 

That concealment was Captain Poi-fer'sobjtPcl^W evident' fro'fn 
this, that, Ih his voluminous correspondence on tlie subject of the 
action, he gives the names of the killed, woun(Jed, and missing, as. 
well as of those paroled by Ca[itain Hillyar, but docA not even 
enumeiats the crew of the Essex-Junior ; although Captain Ililly- 
ar had explicitly demanded, and he as e?;plicitly promised to fur- 
nish *' a list." And when the EsKex-Junior,' in|'lier'w^'T>;tiip^iVo^ 
«artel, nrri^'ed olT Sandy-Hook, and was boar'(ff*V^by ihV Saturnjtijp- 
fi'ars of ('aptain Porter that his plaii^ of chicanry nonld be di.'^'co- 
vcred aj.d lead to his detention, prompted him to. take to thf^^hip'r-. 



Soiit ; canning with hiui, besides a larj;e portion of the crcMr, specie, 
and other valuables. With these he lauded at New -York ; where 
he 'Mvas welcomed by the cheerin;;- huzzas ot* the populace, and 
conveyed to his lodginjijs in a coach drawn by his fellow-citizens."*! I 

The armaments of ihc two British ships, as well as their comple- 
ments of menai\d boys in the action, nill be found in Table 3. Cap- 
tain Porter declared the force opposed to him was, " eighty one 
•runs and five hundred men." Notwithstanding- his predictions, 
tlie Piit^be and her prize arrived safe at Plymouth, before the end 
of the year. 

The Essex \vas built at Salem; alid launched on the ^^Oth of Sep. 
tember, 1 7S9. She cost, according to Mr. Clark, " 159,502 dollars, 
50 cents"; or jg38,7il : j sterling. 

The Cherub, as stated before, had very little share in the action ; 
but as she was present during- the whole of it, we have only good- 
fortune toboast of, in the capture of this South-sea marauder, liad 
the Essex- Junior tried toeileet her escape, when her consort left 
port, the Cherub would have been detached in pursuit ; and a se- 
cond British and American frigate, tolerably matched, left ^o 

themselves. ..^^jj^Tj k .>. ^.m^; i- 

Captain Porter ^ates the action to have -commenced "at fifty 
four minutes after three" ; and that he struck his flag " at twenty 
»uuutes after six P. M : " a period of two hours and twenty six 
minutes. Captain Hiilyar states, that his first fire commenced at a 
little past four, and continued about ten minutes ; but, owing to the 
Phcebe's great distance to-leeward, produced no visible eifect ; and 
that his second fire, *' a few random shot only," from having, by 
wearing, encreased his distance, was not apparently more success- 
ful. It was, as we have already mentioned, thirty five minutes 
past five, before the Phoebe's shot commenced taking effect ; from 
which period, therefore, we have dated the engagement. 

Notwithstanding- the American official account of this action, is 
become the scoff of all reasonable men. Captain Porter's ends were 
fully answered ; to judge from the encomiums passed upon his eon- 
duct by Mr. Madison, in his speech to Congress, dated the 20th of 
September, 1814. The President there says : 

'• On the ocean, the pride of our naval arms has been amply sup- 
ported. A second fiigate has indeed ialien into the hand;? of the 
«nemy rbut the loss is hiddepi^i the blaze .oi^ heroism with 
which she was defended. Captain Porter, wlio commanded her, 
an ' 

gainst two teliip, - i . i 

ilisddvan|tages ; tiU hunumity tore^ovvn the colours, which valour 
had 5iail£^d to, the mast. This officer and his comrades have added 
ifuuch to the rising glory of the American {la;? ; Ami have Jii«ntc:ei 

•J^ewYorkpap^i. j! bit? 




e 



8^ 

all tTi»» ofTusions of gratitude, which thcfr country is ever reaJy to bcitow^ 
on the cliampions of i(s rights, and of its safety." 

We will not coinmit a paradox, by associating braTery with Fuch a char- 
acter as Captain Porter's; and we most sincerely regret, that this " cham- 
pion of rights" did not meet a British officer who knew him, instead o£ 
the meek and gentlemanly Captain Hillyar. Guileless himself, he suspect- 
ed no guile in others. He believed that an American national oflicer was 
governed, es ho was, by prineiplt-s of honour. Captain Hillyar therefore 
became, in his literary transactions, the dupe of the tinished hypocrite, his 
])risoner. Captain Porter's behaviour towards his gallant opponent, 
Avould indeed rowse our indignation y had he noi, by traducing, — hon- 
oured him. 

Let us endeavour to trace what became of the twelve whale-ships cap- 
tured by Ihe Essex. On the 25th of July, Captain Porttr dispatched home 
the Georgiana, armed with sixteen guns, manned with a lieutenant and 
about forty men, and laden with " a full cargo of spermaceti oil, which 
would be Morth in the United Sta.tes, about 100,000 dollaa's." She was 
captured by the Barrosa, 36. The Policy, laden also with a full cargoof 
oil, was re-captured l)y the Loire; and the New-Zealander, having on board 
*' all the oil »f the other prizes," by the Belridera. The R^se and Charl- 
ton M^ere given up to the prisoners. The Montezuma, it is believed, was 
sold at Valparaiso. The Hector and Catharine, " with their cargoes," 
were burnt at sea. The Atlantic, called the Esses-Junior, w.as,-by Cap- 
tain Hillyar's orders, deprived of her armament, and allowed to go tt). the 
United States as a cartel. The remaining tln-ee, the Seringapatam, Gre< u- 
wich.and Sir Andrew Hammond, were left at the iVlarqueses, under charg<o 
of a Ijieutenant Gamble ; and have been since, either recaptured by the 
British, or taken possession of by mutineers. Thus have we tiie end of 
all the " prizes taken by the Essex in the Pacific, valued at'2, 500,000 dol- 
lars" ; and, as another item on the debit side of Captain l^ortei'b acccuntj, 
ihe Essei herself now ratss as a 36 in the British navv. 



(Z) 
PRESIDENT and ENDYMION. 

The President, Commodore Rodgers, arrived at Sandy-Hook, from ii 
seventy five days' cruize, on the IJ^th of February, 1814. She underwent: 
»t N<'W-York a thorough repair, equal almor.t to being rebuilt. Commo- 
dore Rodgers Mas appointed to the Gucniere, about to-be launched at Phil- 
adelphia ; and Commodore Decatur, whose ship, the United States, had^ 
been fo long cooped up in New-London, to the President. Both com-- 
manders took with them, their oHicers and crews. 

The llndj-mion, Ca))tain Hope, sailed fiom Halifax, tlic latter ejjd of; 
September, 1814, upon a cruize, in Boston bay; and on the 0th of Orfober^ 
off Nantucket, failed in a boat-attack upon the Prince of Ncufciiatoli. Amc. 



83 

rican prl^^^affcr. Slie there lost her nrsllicuienahf, INIr. Abel Hawkins, 
a nid-liipman, and twenty six petty-olTuers, seamen 'and marines, killed, 
and thirty five wounded, including her second lieutenant, a master's mate, 
and one or two midshipinen. The Americans captured the launch, with 
scleral men on board ; and, we miist admit, the defence of the privateer 
did jcreat credit to her conimander and crew. 

On the 31 st ef October, the Kndymion fell in with the Saturn, 56, bound 
direct to Halifax. Captain Nash took froifi her, besides a surgeon and his 
servant, one master's mate and twenty seven wounded seaman and marines, 
to convey them to the hospital ; and sent on board the Endymion, to re- 
]ilace the severe loss shehad sustained, (and that, too, among hex prime 
hands,) a lieutenant, four midshipmen, three able seamen, twenty five or- 
<linary seamen and landsmen, and five marines ; total, 68 Thus recruited, 
liio Endymion continued her cruizs ; and was afterwards attached to the 
squadron stationed ofTNew- York. ^^Jy 

The I'resident, stored and provisioned for a cruize in the East Indies, 
and accompanied by the armed brig Macedonian, laden with supplies for 
her, sailed from New-York on the afternoon ofthe~14th of January, 1815. 
In going out, the President struck on a mud-bank ; and, whatever Com- 
modore Decatur may have found it convenient to say, got ofif without the 
slightest damage. The two vessels pursued their course ; and, about an 
hour before day-light on the following morning, were discovered by the 
iJrltish ships. 

Fortunately, an extract from the Endymion's log-book has appeared in 
print. It contains a circuiy.stantial account of the day's proceedings ; and 
bears i;p«n the face of it, su!.;!i incontestible marks of truth, that we, with 
pleasure, give it ijisertion. 

*• At day-light in the morning, all sail set in chace of a strange ship and 
brig in the east ; wind N. W. and by N. Majestic, Tenedos, and Pomouc 
in company. Passed ahead of our squadron fast. At 1 P.M. all hands 
at quarters, gaining fast on the chace, and leaving the squadron. At 1, 18, 
observed the chace to throw over^board spars, casks, &c." 

'• At 2, the chace commenced tiring from her stern-guns. At 2, 30, re- 
turned the enemy's fire from our bow-guns. At 2, 39, a shot from the 
enemy came through the head of the larboard fore-lower-studding-sailj 
foot of the main-sail, through the stem of the barge on the booms, and go- 
ing through the quarter-deck, lodged en the main, without doing any other 
damage. The chace keeping up a quick fire from her stern-guns, returned 
it as our bow-guns could be brought to bear." 

" At 4, 10, shot a-H ay the enemy's jib-halyards. At 4, 20, shot away 
the enemy's fore-top-gallant-sheet ; the enemy lufiing occasionally to bring 
his stern-guns to boar. Gaining fast on the chace ; observed that our sliot 
did considerable execution, the enemy's shot passing over us. At 5, 10^ 
gained the enf my's starboaid quarter, and preserved the position j evidently 
galling him much." 

'^ At 5, 30, the enemy brailed up his spanker and bore away, shewing «. 
disposition to cross our bow and rake us. Put the helm hard-a-weather to 
jneet tiiis manceuvrc ; and brought the enemy to close action in a parrall^i 
Hne of sailing." .'■idm jti'i' 

i' At G, -4, llie enemy conBrocnccd firie^ musketrj from his tops j retajrhed 



it witli the njnnne-party. Hauled up ©ccasionallj' toclovte theoi1» 
ipiny, without losing- the bearing of our broadside : enemy nowdis- 
'tant half musket-shot. Our sails and rigging much cut j the ene- 
my's fire slackening considerably." jji i^iati ? ;-,' >.r 

'• At (i, 40, the enemy hauled up, apparently to avoid oiir fire. 

Succeeded in giving hial two raking broadside?, and then hauled 

; up also ; again placing ourselves on Jiis starboard quarter. At 

7, I5y the enemy shot away our boat from the larboard quarter, and 

lower, and main-top-galiant, studding-sails." , 

"At7,18, theenemy not returning our fire. At 7, 2j, the enemy 
kept more away, and recommenced firing. At 7, 30, the enemy 
shot away the larboard main-top-mast studding-sailjand a^ain-brace. 
At 7, S2, the enemy hauled suddenly to the wind. Triiamed sails^ 
iandagain obtained the advantage of giving him a r&king fire ; whith 
he returned with one sh6t from his stern-gun. The enemy much 
shattered. At 7, 40, the enemy kept more away, firing at intervals." 

" At 7, 58, theenemy ceased firing. Observed him to she^v a 
light; called all hands to bend ne^v sails, &c. Conceiving that 
the eiiemy had struck, ceased firing. At 8, 10, observed two of 
our squadron coming Up. At 8, 52, new courses^ main-top-sail, 
jib, fore-top-mast-stay-sail, and spankel', bent, and sails trimmed, 
hinging up with the chace." 

„ " Ati), 5,ob:jerved one of our squadroii rUn up oh the larboard 
beaai of the enemy, and fire into her ; which was not returned, 
but the light hoisted higher in the rigging. The ship ot our squad- 
ron ceased firing, and shot ahead. At 9, 45, hailed by the Tene- 
dos ; acquainted her of our not having a boat that could be hoisted 
out. Tenedoa took possession of the chace." af!>; 

The ihotionless state of the Endymion, while bending six riew* 
sails^ reeving fresh rigging, &c. enabled the Pomone and Tenedos 
to pass ahead of her •, the latter OMly within hail. When these ships 
approached the President, she was stilnding to the eastward under 
a press of sail. The Pomone fired her broadside ; which hurt ho 
one, and was not returned. The President shortened sail, and luf- 
fyd close up, shewing a light in her mizen-rigging ; at. the same 
time, hailing to say — she had surrendered. The Pomone, ilot hear- 
ing this, and mistaking the o!)ject of the light, llred a second broad- 
side ; which, similar to the first, neither hurt any pne, nor was re- 
turned. The President, after again hailing, that .«he had surrender- 
ed, hauled down the light ; and the ]*omotie did not fire again. 
Tlic Tenedos had a fine raking position astern of the President 
but Captain Parker, believing she had struck to the L'adymion, did 
iK)t fire a shot. He moreiy aent U boat to take pobsessiou ; and hia 
oihcer was the first on board. »,j,;.f^; o,j) in(fr.\uii''A .shnoov, 
. This was at eleven o'clock at flight. At tlirPe (ifitar^t^r's p^sf. 
l-vveive, the llndymion, nearly as, Iresh as when she began the com- 
bat, iiot np to t!ie President ; byt the Majestic^ although the ships 
Uufe htying'to lor her, did not join until three in the morniu^iuM 



«5 

Tlic President's starboard side was perforated ivitli shot in nil 
directions. Some, notwithstanding- her twenly-two-inch biilwarks^ 
passed compleatly through her. She liad five or six guns disabled • 
six i'ev.i water in the hold ; and^ although her ppors were all stapdj- 
in^if, her lower-masts were badly crippled. 

She lost in the actio«, by the acknowledgment of her officers, 
three lieutenants, and thirty two seamen and marines, killed ; her 
commander, (very pli^fhtly,) master, two midshipmen, ?iud sixty 
six seamen a^^ml marines, wounded ; total 105. 

The Endymion's hull was comparatively uninjured. Two of her 
boats were destroyed ; and some of her spars seriously wounded; 
butj^he suffered most in sails and rigj^inir. A chain-shot, similar 
to figure At at page 74, cut twe.lve or fourteen cloths from her fore- 
sail ; stripping it almost from the yard. 

She lost eleven seamen and marines, killed ; and fourteen sc^h 
men and marines, woiinded • total 9.5. No officer was hurt. The 
JCndymion thor€fore did not lose, by the fire ofthe President frig- 
ate, half as many men, as in her boat-action with the privateer. 

On the 17th, a violent gale of wind came on from the eastward ; 
in which the President lost all her masts by the board, threw sever- 
al of her guns over-'board,and was very near foundering. The En- 
dymion lost her bowsprit^ fore and main-masts, (owing chiefly to 
the rigging, where it had been knotted, giving way,) and most of 
her spar-deck guns. Both ships arrived at IJermuda; as also the 
Pomone, with part ofthe prisoners. 

The President's armament was, fiOeen long twenty-fours of a 
side, upon the main-deck ; seven forty-two-pounder carronades, 
an eight-inch brass howitzer, or sixty-eight-pounder, upon a pivot- 
carriage, and one shifting long twenty four, of a side, upon the 
quarter-deck ; three forty-two-pounder carronades,and one shifting 
long twenty-four, of a side, upon the fore -castle : and five brass 
Ibur-ponnders, on pivots, in her three tops : making a total of 58 
guns; .'JS of which she fought upon her broadside. ]t is believed 
she mounted, at the beginning of the v.ar, one more carronadc 
of a side upon the quarter-deck ; fighting her shifting long gun 
thro igh the gang-way-port : which gave her 55 guns^ besides her 
to3-howitzers. 

The only papor found on board, was her " Watch-bill" ; con- 
taining the names of 477. In our service, a ship ofthe President's 
class, would have upAvards of ninety idlers, or persons not keeping 
watch. The prisoners received by the agent at Bermuda, amount- 
ed to 434. There were four or five others, whose wounds would 
not admit of their removal : and seven or eight that died of their 
wounds. Estimating the whole»at eleven ; and including the thirt}^ 
five killed in the action, the President's complement v.onld be 480. 

The prisoners, excepting two or three boys, were tall, stout men ; 
i»nd a great proportion known to be British subjects. Owing, pro- 
hablj, to the return pf Peace, none of them were detained, Com 



fe(3 






inodoro Decaf ur, having la his official letter, enclosed a list of "24killed 
■which he feared was " short of the number ;" and having suhhequeutiy 
I'lvorrij that the President's complement consisted of 150, afttcted much 
surprise, that the prisoners should amount to 431 ; makings tvith his •• 24 
Skilled, which were " short of the number," 458. 

TheEndymion mounted ihirlecti long twenty-fours (six inches shorte»' 
than the President's) of a side, upon the main deck ; one shifting twslre, 
«nd eight thirty-two-poundcr carronades, ofaside, lipon the t^uarter-deck ; 
and three thirty-two-poundcr carronades of a sid<», upon the fore-castle ; 
where she also had a long eighteen for a standing bow-chaser ; making a 
total of 50 gnnSi Having twenty four ports only of a side ; and the twelre- 
pounder-carronade being mounted, as usual, upon an elevating oarriags, 
she could fight but 25 guns on her broadside. 

On the 21st of September, a few days before she left Halifax, the Endy- 
tnion vietualled 239 in ship's company, GO marines, and 27 boys ; total 326, 
She had six men absent in apriza, and one man sick at the Jiospital ; mak* 
ing, when they joined, a complement of 333. The number killed in the ac- 
tion with the privateer, and those sent on board the SatUrji, were replaced 
with an equal number. To make the Endymion's complement, what it is 
stated to have been when sheengaged the Presideuti she must have pressed 
nineteen men. She then would have 319 men, and 27 boys ; total 346. 

The President was built at New- Y'ork, in 1797 — 8; and cost '-220,910 
dollars, arid 8 centsj" or ^61,363 i 18 sterling. She is finished in a very 
superior manner ; has stouter scantling than a British 74-gun ship ; and, if 
we except the American Guerriere and Java, may be considered as the finest 
frigate in the world. In spite of the "hogged and twisted appearance," 
given her by thesenlence of the court-roartial, which sat to find excuses for 
her capture, this American 44-guu frigate now stands at the head of the 
class of 30-gun ships in the British navy ; where, fr6n> the expensive re- 
pairs given her atNew-Vork, she, in all probability, will long remain. 

The first American account of the President's loss, published, was an ex- 
tract of a letter from Commodoio Decatur t& his wife. After detailing his 
action with the k'ndjmionj he says, — '' In three hours the Pomone and 
Tenedos were alongside^ and the Majestic and Endymion cldsc to us; 
All that was now left for me to do was, to receive the fire of (he nearest 
ships,and surrender ; for it wasin vaia ta contend with tho whole squad- 
ton." 

Commodore Decatur had, no doubt, the same reason forusinjj the word 
" ships'* instead of '"'' ship," that Conimodor<i Perry had, for substituting! 
'-• their" for " her"; when, in his letter, he was describing the effect of the 
Detroit's fire, upOH the Lawrence.* 

Another published letter is from '' an officer w hose situation oil beard tlie 
President gaTe him an opportunity of witnessing every event that occurretF 
d'uring the actioa." He, alone, Ivas had- the hardiliood to say, — " when^ 
ifter rGcei7ing and rclarning a broadside, our flng was struck." Anothei? 
!}(ii'rpf say>-', "after ivceiving four or live broadsidt s from the Pornonc5(^c.'*" 

The conimodorc's olBcial letter is dated on board the Endymion, thre** 
^aysafter thcaction. W'c shall "x-loct the most promiaont parts. 

•ate ;\l ore p. .OS. 



87 

"' Thti! ship in going oaf, grounded on the bar ; where she continued to 
strike heavily for iin hour and .1 half;" Tht> pilot has no doubt lolig ago 
satisfjpd his fellow-C'tizrns of New-York, that the latter part of this state- 
Mient is ccrKpletoIy f noncouR. 

Alter cktailitig the early part of the running-fight with the Eiidymion ; 
and bringing it down to aboni half past fire, (ho tonifnodore procccdl^hus : 

" It was noM dusk, when I doterininc-d to alter my course south, I'-rtljc 
purpose of bringing the enemy abeam ; and although their ships nsteni were 
drawing up fast, 1 felt satistied J should be enabled to throw liim out of 
the eoirbut befoie they could come up ; and was not without hopes, if the 
night proved dark, (of whitli thtro.was every appearance.) that I^till might 
be enabled to effect my escape. O##^pponenl kept off at the same instant 
we did, and our lire commenced at the same time. We continued cngtiged, 
steering south, two hours and a half, Mhen we comph tely succeeded in 
dismantllog her. Previously to her dropping entirely out of trie action, 
there were intervals of minutes, when the ships were broadside, in which she 
did not lire a gun." 

Vv'e must pause to ask the commodore, if, wlien he w-aS penning this' cliarge 
against the £ndymion, he hud seen the returns of the President's surgeon. 
— Did ever a man make so eoRinlete a butt of himself ! 

"At this peiiod, (half past eight o'clock,) although dark, the other 
phips of. the squadron were in sight, and almost within gun-shot. We were 
of course compelled to abandon her. In resuming our former course for 
the purpose of avoidi^ig tl»e squadron, we were eom.pelled to present our 
stern to our antiigojii-:t ; but such was his state, though ^ve were thus ex- 
posed and witJun range of his guns for half an hour, that he did not avail 
himself of this favourable opportunity of raking us." 

\Vc confess ourselves unable to comprehend how, if the President wa? 
making sail to get away, and the Endymion left in a dismantled, and there- 
fore motionless state, the former could be " within range" of the hitter's 
gUQs for " half an hour." But wo will not let frilles interrupt us. 

"We continued this ccurse," says the President's commander, " until 
eleven o'clock. when two fresh ships of the enemy (the Pomone and Tenedcs) 
had come up. The Pomone had opened her fire on the larboard bd w, within 
musket;-shot ; the other about two cables' length astern, taken a raking 
position on our qviarter; and the rest (with the exception of the lOody- 
mion) within gun-shot. . Thus situated, with about one fifth of my crew 
killed and wounded, my ship crfppled, and a more than four-fold force 
opposed to me, w ithout a chance of escape left, I deemed it my duty to 
surrender." 

C-ommodore Decatur must have interlined the abo7.? nBrenthcsis, and o- 
mitted to substitute for " the rest," a term correspoadiug with the import- 
tant '•■ exception," It is the first time ue overheard one ship cf a sqiiadroa 
dosignated by—'' the rest." The commodore could not, surely, have h;i J 
reference to the Dispatch-brig, even if present : although, mos-t proheldy, 
she hud gone in chace of the Alaccdonhin. Wu recollect he soys, "in the 
letter to liis wife, (which the commodore did not pcrlia-js imr.giiie Mould 
hQ published, )—" and the Majestic and Endyn.ion close to us"." We leave 
<iiis trilling variatir:i to be exp'nined by the commodore's friends. 

Afler csiapla-ining tlrat the Kiulymion rtred too ^io^Nh-. a"H(4 did i-ot rilk"^^ 



ss 

him enough ; — alter boastin<x, too, of having disnumtled, and bec^ 
com|)elle{l to abandon hcr,-uljo could expect the writer would af- 
terwards drawl cut — "one fifth of my crew killed, my shipcrippled" I 
'• 1 feel satisfied," says the Jnvincihlc commodore, " that the fact 
oftheir havinj:? beaten a force e^|ual to themselves, in the presence 
and almost under the guns of so vastly a superior forcc,when,too,it 
was almost pclf-evident, that, whatever their exertions mig'ht be, 
they must nlliniatelv be captured, will K-e taken as evidence of what 
thev would have performed, had the force opposed to them beeu in 
any de^^ree equal." 

Were it possible, that a na(ive^fij|,C^*'"''^» ^^^'^ had never seen a 
fillip in his life,but who understood the use ofcpnnon and musketry, 
could have surveved the President and I^ndymion, at about two 
o'clock in the afternoon, and again at half an I'.cur past eight at 
night, of the l.5th of January, we would cheerfully be governed by 
his answers to the following questions, put to him at those several 
periods : — • VVIiieh of the two ships do you con#idf r to be t'"o most 
powerful r' — * W'^hich of the two ships do you consider to be the one 
that was '• beaten" ? 

Although Commodore Decatur, when he wrote his ofllcial letter, 
had been three, days on board the Ewdymion ; and must have satis- 
iied iiimself ofthe e-\tent of that ship's loss iu the action, he was so 
artful as to say : 

•^^ Her loss in killed and wounded must have been very great. I 
have not been able to ascertain the extent Ten were buried after 
I c^nae on board, (56 hours after the action.) the badly wounded, 
such as were obliged to keep their cots, occupy the starboard side 
of the "un-deck, from the cabin-bulk-head to the main-ntast." 

The commodore here set his countrymen to calculating, how ma- 
ny dead mencouldbe '^thrown overboard" in the course of "thirty 
sTx hours:" how many cuhic-fcet there were in the space '> between 
the cabin-bulk- head and the main-mast" of a large frigate ; and 
tow mauy "i)adlv v/ounded" could be there stowed. I'^or the ho- 
nour of (iaptain Hope, he cliose to give the bodies of his late gal- 
lant shipmates. Christian burial ; instead pf allowing them to be 
thrown into the sea, the mouient they fell. This object uiust have 
been lost upon the .American oiTicer ; otherwise, he M'il folly con- 
cealed the fact. 

In this very long official letter, it is no wiicic statnd, thai asingh 
inan was hurt by tl)c romcne'ii two oroadsides. iJut when thecon*- 
niodore arrives'at New- York from Bermuda : and is urged by his 
friends, to give the thing, if possible, '^ brilli-.mt appearance, hu 
com|)oses a second or supplementary letter, dated "•New- York, 
March Qth'' — An •' e.xi^act■' is all that has appeared in priitt ; an4 
we here give it (except a paragraph abouta wonndet! midshipman, \ 
at Icns^th : 

" In my effivial letter of the ISth January, I omitted to state, thai 
a considerable n:imbcr of my killed and wouiulud was iVoni tiie fir«:. 



bi'tlie Poinono ; and tlirit the IJiidymtoii had on board, in addliioii 
lo her own crow, one lieutenant, one master's mate, and fifty men, 
]i<'!onoin<^ to the Saturn ; and when the action ceased, Was left mo- 
tioulehS and unmanageable, until she bent Jiew sijils, rove new rig- 
* Jiiiij;, and fished her spars ; nor did she return to the squadron for 
six honrs after the action, and throe hours after the surrender of 
the President. My sword was delivered to Captain flays ()f (lit 
Majestic, the senior ollicer of the scjuadron, on his quartei -(ieck ; 
w hich he with great politeness iniinediately returned. 1 have the 
honour to enclose you my parole, l)y which you ^vill perceive the 
I'riti^h admit the President was caj)tured by the squadron, i should 
have d« emed it unnecessary to have drawn your attention to this 
document, had not the fiict been stated dilVercntly in the Bermuda 
(Gazette, oti our arrival there ; which statement, however, the 
editor was compelbd to retract, through the interference of the 
governor and\somo of the British oHicers of the squadron." 

To confute the lirst of these supplementary assertions, as well as 
to elucidate some other parts of this interestini^ cambat, we here 
produce '-the deposition of Mr. Henry Bowie, schoolaiaster of the 
President, takeii before the Honourable Tudor Ilinson, surrogate 
at IJermi'.ja." 

Mr. Bowie swears, "that, after the action with'the Endymion, 
('omrnodore Decatur ordered all hands to go below, to take eare 
of their ba.'TS; as he believes, because the commodore did not con- 
sider they were to fight any more." 

*' One of the ships commenced firing, and Commodore Decatur 
called out — " we have surrendered ;" then givina: this deponent the 
trumpet to hail and say — they had surrendered." 

" 'ihe Pomone (which appears to have been the firing ship) did 
damage to the rigging of the President ; but did not hill or wound 
any person, all hands being then below. They did not return the 
Pomone's fire." 

" When the two ships were coming up, a light v»'as lioisted in the 
niizen-ri.gging of the President, as this deponent conceived at the 
time, as an ensign or flag; but as he atterv.ards had reason to be- 
lieve, as a sign that they surrendered ; for this deponent observed 
to the commodore, "that as long as that light was hoisted, the ships 
Mould fire, upon v/hich Commodore Decatur ordeied it to be taken 
down." 

The Et^dymion's " addition to her crow," has ""already been ex- 
Hijlained. 'f hat sho " fished her spsi ," before day-liirht nex) morn- 
ing, wc have strong don'jts. Tiie time of her, as \vellas of the Ma- 
.yjestic's, "return to tlio squadron," we lake tVorn a statement, which 
'fan oflicerof the Piesident encloses to a friend in the States, for pub- 
-^ication ; and in praise of which Ise writes as follows : 

" Allow me to enclose a stat(M;.ieiit of our unforluiiate roncontre. 
u- published by thoofllcers of thePcmoJio's^un-raom ; which^Milb. 



one or two particulars, isessontlally correct. When the Prrsidcnt stroclc,^ 
theTrnt'dos was on our sterr, and thi; J^oiiione on our bow, l)oth Avitliiii 
Tiiusket-jhot. Ttie sliip was first boarded hy the boats of the Tenedos.'* 
I'his hand-bill account of " ibe Ponioiic's gun-room oHicers," sfates, tiiat 
-• at three quarters past twelve the Kndyniiou camoup^ and the Majestic at 
three in the morning ; and the conmiodore himself fixes the period of his 
surrender, at '' eleven o'clock." 

In waiting to deliver his sword to "the setiior ofllcer of the sq^iKidron," 
Me recognise an old French triek, f'req.uently practiced, when a second IJritrsh 
cruizcr has come y[), aftei the enemy's ship had received as hea .-y a diub- 
biig, as thePresident got from the Kndyn.ion. The coiamodore's subse- 
quent conduct proves, that his sword being " with politeness returned,'* 
only aduP oneto theraany instances ofmisa])p!ication of British magnanimity. 

is not the commodore sufllsiently acquainted with the Britisii prize-act,, 
to know, that every one of his majesty's ships in sight at the commence- 
ment of the cliace, or the final surrender <ifa prize, is, whether sh<? co-op- 
erates or not, entitled to share ; for that reason, the word " squadron" was 
inserted in his parole. 

If the comn.od'ore will read a ?horf extract from (papta-Fi Hayes' official 
jftter, hewill perhaps regret that he dwelt so forcibly, upon his sv.ord hav- 
jjigb 'en returned to him ; as well as upon thu formal language of that in-^^ 
fcigniurAiit "• document" his parole. 

" A^ii thed; V advajiced," says Captain Hayes, "tJie wind declined, giv-- 
ingtlic Endynion an evident advantage in sailing; and Captain Hope's 
exertions enabled him to get his sjiip alongside of the enemy, av.d commencer^ 
close ■! ^ion, at li If an hour past ffve in the eiC'^LMug; wliieh was continued 
with gre.it gallantry and s,pirito.n bptlj sides, for two hours and a !ialf,when. 
the llndyntion'a sai's being cut from tne yards, th;; enemy got ahead. Cajj- 
t-ain Hoj)e taking this opportunity to bend new sails,, to enable him to get: 
his ship along-side again, the aetionce ised, till the Pomone getting up at 
lialf past eleven at night, and tiling a few shots, (he enemy hailed to say, 
S>hchad already surrendered." 

*' And now. Sir, a very pleasing i)art of my duty is, the bearing testi- 
mony to the able and. masterly manner, in which the Endymion was con- 
ducted, and the gallantry with which she was fought ; ai'd v/Jien the ef- 
fect pioducedby iier wdl-directed tire-npon the President, is witnessed, it 
cannot be doubted, but that Captain Hope would have succeeded, citiier 
in capturing, or siiiKing h<T, liiixl none o£ the squadron been in sight." 

'Jhe brief letter of Captain Hope, euclosing a return of his slight loss, 
concludes thus : " Whercevery individual has so conspicuously done his 
duty, it would be injustice in me to particularize ; but 1 trust the loss and 
damage sustained by the enemy's frigate, will shew the steady and well- 
directed fire kept up by his majesty's ship under my. command." 

The corumodore is correct in saying, that " tlie fact" was '• stated dif- 
ferently in the Bermada Ciazjtte." It was, indeed ; for it was there as- 
serted, that the Endymion alone engaged t!ie President ; and that the lat-. 
terwas riddled, the former scarcely injured, by shot. 

Not one jot of this was the editor called upon to "retract." But the- 
Bermuda Gazette of. February 1st, having stated that sixty eight men were- 
tUicbyered stowed a^v^y on board the Ptesident, Coinyiodoie Decatur gave. 



Vj; 

Ms honour it was not so , and Mr. Ward Mas induced to recall the state- 
nit-nt. 

The Gazette of the 16<h of March, however, declares the original stale- 
ment was correct ; and that the act was authorised by Commodore Deca- 
tur himself. Upon this, the (ioveiiior of Gennuda desired the editor to 
retract Avhat he had now said. Dut, relying more upon the word, 
of a IJrilish lieutenant,* than thehonpur of an American commodore, Mr. 
Ward flatly refused ; and was, accordingly, dismissed from his oflice of 
Kiiijr's printer. 

To impose the delusion upon the world, it was necessary to hare a 
" Court of Inquiry on the capture ef the fiigate President." Nearly two. 
columns of a ncA spajicr are iillcd Avith " the result of the court." There- 
fore, Me shall only skim the cream, for the reader's amusement. 

•' AVc hare been more minute in our inrrstigati^n, '^ says Commodore 
Murray, " than might at first view have been denned necessary; but as 
there has been a diversity of opinions prevailing among the British €om-? 
nianders, concerned in her capture, it was desirable in our riew to lay be- 
fore the world, in the most correct nia3iner, crer}' circumstance which led 
to that event, which has afl'orded another high pioof of American heroism, 
ard so highly honourable to her commander, oiiicers, and crew, that every 
American citizen must feel a pritle in Knowing, that our Hag has been so 
uebly defended." 

^^ here was the '' dirersily of oi)Inious among the British commanders*' ? 
Has the honourable court ventured to make this solemn declaration, upon 
what appeared in the "hand-bill published by the Pomone'.s gun-room 
officers" ? — Let us however proceed. 

" If victory hnd met its common reward, the Eiidymion's name would 
have been added to our list of naval conquests. In this unequal conilictj 
the enemy gained a ship, but the victory was ours."* ****** «'A 
proof that the Endymion was conc[ucred is, the shatteredcondition in which, 
she appeared ; while l.^fl'resident in the contest with her, had sustained 
but little injury." 

How must ('ommodore Decatur, if he has any shame, blush when he 
reads this I Commodore Murray, and his assistants, have out-done him 
and all his officers : — actually made the decree, in several places, contradici 
the commodore's official letter! 

Even the supplementary one, limits the Endymion's damages to her 
sails, rieciiiff, and snais. Is this what the court calls *•* shattered condi- 
tiou" ? — J^erhaps ••' tattered" was tlie word used, but miscopied by the 
|irinter. As to tiie President's " little injury," we will not bestow a ccm- 
inent upon it; and shall, indeed, dismiss the tragi-comicorfarcical pcrformr 
ancc, allogetin^r; by merely r.oticing, that it.'abounds with indigenous cant- 
werds, such as: " honourables, — hCroes, — ^^heroics, — heroism.s, — lustrQS,T- 
.%tarS;— glories,— i.'vjc. &e." 

After a.ll that has been said abrupt the President's capture, one fact ap« 
.ijjears to.be.deciderl ; lh«t the only two ships, between which any firing was 
.'"xehaug(-d, weretJm prr-irVnt and Endymion. Every captured nren hant- 
iidiip, ( vc) whom a ."^hot is firt^l to bring 'her to, has the same rig!<t to call 
ijier surrender, a "conflict — conf.est— engr.gemcnt," that Commodore } )e," 

•Hon. G. .1. i'ercev?iV, 



ratiir and his court liad, (o cull so, — the tno harmless, unreturned 
broadsides lircd at hiu by tlie l*oinonL\ 

ItisindifTereutto us, whether or not the President struck, in the 
first int^tance, to the Jjidymion ; alt'noiiijh we sincerely believe she 
did. The plain talc of Mr. Bowie, the President's school-majter, 
nssures us that, when the President hauled aWuy from the I'hidy- 
niion, at eight o'clock, her men, to use a familiar phrase, had had 
enoutJjh ; and her commander fully determined lipon making no 
further resistance. 

How much more it would redound to Commodore Decatur's 
honour, to have confessed that he struck to the Endymion, after 
an acknowledged close action, than, by denying (he fact^ to make 
it appear that, in a sliip like the President, he tamely surren- 
dered to two British eighteen-pounder frigate^, without firing a 
$hot ! 

That this was the case, we require no better proof than the com- 
modore's own words. His deposition taken before the Admiralty 
tourt at Bermuda, states thus : " Resistance was made ajrainst the 
Endymion for two hours ahd a half, after which the Endymion drop- 
ped out of the fight. The next ships coming up, two hours and a 
half after the action with the Endymion, wer6 the Pomone and Ten- 
edos ; and to those two ships the President was surrendered. The 
Pomone had commenced her fire within musket-shot. The Tene- 
doS did not fire at the time of such surrender ; the Majestic was in 
sight also ; the Endymion was then out of sight. No oiher slsips 
besides those named, were then seen from the President." 
,, Viewing as we now do, fairly stated, the relative force of the 
Preisident and Endymion ; knouing, also, that the former was codi- 
manded by an experienced officer ; manned with a choice, well- 
t-raincd crew, and lavishly supplied ^rith every requisite appoint- 
ment, Wo are not saiiguine enough to imagine, that the Endymion's 
loss would have been so trifling, had she and the President met sin- 
gly. In that event, tho latter \v()uld have had no othei- object to 
divert her attention, or confinc'hci* manoeuvres ; nor would the 
spirits of her men have been ''amped by the convicHon, that, if they 
did not escape, thr-ymn.'^t be Ca[)tnrcd. 

That (he Endymion, however, would, even then, have iiltimate 
ly contjuerecJ. the drendfnl precision ol her fire ; her (|uickness it) 
forking, and evident superiority in sailing ; added to the establi.sh- 
ed bravery of her oHkert; and creAV, are grc.inids of belief, not to be 
shaken by the sentence of an American court^titartial ; nor, indeed^ 
by frothy ficclamation ofany jiiud. 

It is singular, tliat Conunodoro f)eratur's Utter announcing tht- 
rrcsidcnl's Io;>, si'.oiild have been uritfen on hoard the very »<hip, 
lUiioh he appeared so anxious to meet, in the frigate l.'nited States ; 
and should bear date j)reci!«ely a year and a rlay after his " ver/ 
•.Ntsli" letter of c!Kil!e!i;re. Nor should weo!!iitto remind the rca 



(Isr, (liat tlie idendral slnp'^ compnuics, present at this meeting, 
^vere parties to that very challeniru. We cannot therefore be pur- 
})rise(l, that tiie result oftlie action between the President and Kn- 
(ljn>ioB, should have caused amon4> the sticklers for 'superior 
prowess" in the States, such powerful eniolioiis ; especially, when 
it became known., beyond dispute, that tiie British vessel was infer- 
ior in torce to the American by nearly a fourth. 

Agreeably to our promise at the end of note (E), we shall now 
make a brief comparison between the American 4i-oun friii;ate8, as 
their force is displayed in tlie Tresident, and different classes of 
liiitish ships. 

P^rliaps no seventy-four-gun ship in the service, has been so of- 
ten viewed by the Americans, as the Valiant ; occasioned by her 
remaining- so long at anclioi: in from of Nevv-fiOndon. She is alsa 
pf a class of ?4's, the most numerous of any ; and is oftlie same ex- 
treme length as the President. These reasons ha- e induced us to 
select the V^aliaotas a standard. 

She mounts fourteen long thirly-twos of a side, upon the lower- 
deck ; fourteen long eighteen? of a side, upon the main deck : five 
thiry-two-pounder carronades, and two long twelves, of a side, 
upon the quarter-deck ; one thirty-two-pounder carronade, and 
two ion.^ twelves, of a side, upon the fore -castle; and foureighteen- 
poun ler-carronades, (including one shifting or elevating one,) of a 
Hide upon the poop ; total 83 guns; 42 of which could be fought on 
the l)ro;idside. fler broadside-weight of metal is therefore 1012 lbs ; 
©nlv 9ii lbs. more than the President's. 

The V^aliant had, when on this station, a complement of529 men, 
and 37 boys : total 566. ; but the war-estabiishment for a ship ot 
her cla-s, is 590. 

'J'he difference between ^- the compactness and strength ofsides,"f 
ot the Valiant, or any 7J;-yun ship, and the President, is about one 
inch and a half in favour of the latter ; although the Valiant's ad- 
ditional breadth of beami' augments her tonnage to 17 IS. By con- 
trasting this 74's actual force, estimated at 3320, with the Presi- 
dent's, as it is'expre^ised in Ta!)le 3, Mr. Clark's " not very far 
from double" superiority ol forcer will be properly understoo'd. 

Ths arma!ijent of a sikty-four-gan ship is as follows: thirteen 
long twenty-fouri of a side, upon the lower- deck ; thirteen long 
eigiiteensofa side, upon Jhe main-decW ; five thirty-two-poundei 
earroaades of a side, upon the quarter-deck: one thirty-two-poun- 
flcr carronade, and one long nine, of a side, upon the fore-castle ; 
and three eightecn-pounder-carronades (including one shifting ele- 
jatinu one) of a side, upon the poop ; total 71 guns ; 36 of which 
Bhe would tigiit oi^ the broad.-ide. Her lv;oadside-weight of metal 
is therefore SOI Ib^.; actually 1 15 Ihs. less tluiM the President's. 

A sixty-four's complement is 491 ; comprising 406 men, and 2:> 

-•■"ice above pace 1'8. . *Ibi.l page 1 1. t See lirr dimensions in Tabl" ~ 



boys. Table 7 ^111 shew how tnuch smaller the Ai'iira (one oTthe largest) 
is,than tho President. Ebliinathig n sixty-four's actual force at '2707, Ta- 
bles 1 and 3 will shmv, at once, the superiority of an Armncan fri^'ate. 

Few, if any, of the t\vo-de;:kcd fifties, are now in the service. Thfe 
Leopardf will serve for comparison. She mounted in 1807,* eleven long 
twenty-fours of a side, upon the lower-deck ; eleven long twelves of a side, 
upon the main-deck ; four twenty-four-pounder-carronades, three long 
nines, and one shifting or elevating elghtcen-pourider carroiiadp,of a side, 
upon the quarfer-d(?ck and fore-castle ; total 59 ^uns. Of these, 30 Mere 
fought in the broadside ; whicli would amount to 537 lbs. 

A fifty's complement of men and boys, was 343. The Leopard measur- 
ed 1044 tons ; which made her actual force 1924; or, a full tenth inferior 
to the Chesapeake, j: instead of the President. 

The old two-decked forty-fours, mounted king eighteens and tv\-felves ,* 
were allowed 291 men and boys ; and the Medusa, the largest in the ser- 
vice, measured 910 tons. They were not equal to our present 3G-gun frig- 
ates. The sixty-fours, fifties, and forty-fours, would lose the use of their 
lower batteries, in blowing weather; by which their force would be di- 
minished more than one half. 

In the year i7y.>, about the period vvheti the American forty-fours were 
'designed, the first-class British frigates were as often called furty-fours, as 
thirty-eiglits. Few of tliem exceeded GBO tons ; and their complement of 
men and beys, was 28}. Tlie Ciuerriere v\ill serve as a sjucimen of Frencli 
?ofty-fouiS in general. In short. Very little ditl'ercnce of force prevailed 
among the first-class frigates of any of the pAiropean powers. "Are they 
not," says the over-cunning American, "called forty-four-guii frigates ?— 
And ?o are ours : of course, then, the two are equal." 

After the loss of our three frigates, Government ordered ships io be con- 
structed, to match tiie American forty-fours. Tmo, built of tir, weie late- 
ly on this station. The Jjcander, one of them, although she measured 1571 
tons ; and mounted 58 guns, long twenty-fours and forty-two-pounder 
carronadts, had top-sides not thicker than a 3G-gun frigate's^ ! Amongher 
crew, consisting of 485, she had 41bo)s. ! 

This blii]?, commanded by a gallant officer^ was fitted out to engage a 
ship like the I'rcsident; with top-sides, twenty two inches thick at the port- 
eills ; made of oak; and perfectly solid, llow fortunate, perhaps, that 
a meeting did not take place. The valour of the ollicers and men, woultt 
not prevent the recoil of her own, nor tiie shot from the enemy's guns, frons 
tearing to pieces her flimsy sides. Sh;^ must eithcrhave sunk beneath her 
^h \otcd crew ; or sL'RUENntiiLu ! — What could v:c have said then ? ! ! 

*Hcr afl'air with (lie rhc^ajnakc, ort urrtd on ilic 'iJd of June in lliat year. 

tLostinl8l4. :(See Tat^'c G. JAbout sixtttn incLes. 




old 



ou-f 





ou-f 



(Aa) 

These four schooners formed part of Commodore Chauncey's squadron 
of fourteen sail, on Lake-Ontario. Two ships and a bri|j of this fleet car- 
ried G71ong twenty-fours and cightecns ; and the smaller vessels a long 
thirty-two-pounder, and a carronade each, besides guns of smaller calibre. 

Sir James Yeo's squadron consisted of six sail ; armed principally with 
carronades ; and of scarcely half the force and size of tiic American M|uad- 
ron. But the Am^^rican commodore would not risk a battle ; althongii he 
had the weath'T -gage nearly the whole time. 

The Scourge and Hamilton, " the two best American schooners, mount- 
ing together 19 suns,"f sunk in carrying sail. The Orowier and Julia 
were captured. The former mounted one long iliirty-two-pouniler, and 
two long sixes, on pivots ; and the Julia, one long thirty-two, and one 
long twelve. 

Commodore Chauncey's letter detailing this fresh-ivater dcnionsti Jtion, 
occupies two columns of a newi-pp.per ; and is really a very entertaining 
performance. He describes no fewer than fifteen changes of wind in the 
course of 48 hours ! 

The commodore reached Sackett's- Harbour, with only 8 out of his 14 
sail ; having l<'fttwo disabled schooirers (ue believe the Asp and Fair-A- 
fcierican) in one of the creeks on the American side of the Lake. 



k 

t 



(lib) 

This ship was one of Captain Pnrter*s " sloops of war."* She was arm- 
«1 and manned as in Table 4 ; and had taken three prizes. V/e should 
scruple to insert the Georgiana among the national vessels captured from 
the Americans, did not a '' United States' navy-list of Dec. 22d, 1813,'' 
contain her name and rat"-}: properly set-forth. Her commander was als© 
made a " lieutenant-comraa.idant" iu the American uavy. 



(Cc) 

The American ship, Frolic, in latitsde 24» 12^ N. lon-itude 81* -25' W. 
bore down upon the Orpheus, 30 ; mistaking her for a Wc.st-Fiidia-man. 
Before the Frolic got within gun-shot, she shortened sail and hauled upon a 
wind; the Orpheus then being on her lee-quarter ; and the Slielburne 
schooner, at some distance to windward. As the Frolic and Orpheus pas- 
sed on opposite tacks, at twenty minutes past twelve, the Utter hrod two 
shot ; ^joth of which fell short. The breeze freshening, the Am<:rican ship 
threw over-boanl her starboard guns ; but, linding herself unexpectedly 

"Seealjpvc page 82. t N.Mk-t. vtl, l.p. 227. ^N. Hist. s.2.vS^\ 



^'«• 



9G 



Innd-lorliccl, slic poon afterwards born up, settino- studdino^-sails. 
The SI)( Ibunie schooncv, jiidfririir from the Frolic's appearance 
that her ^uns on one t-ido were over-board, approached her 
» on the opposite side : when, at forty five minutes past one P. M. 
ihc. Frolic ha'.ileri down her colours,vvithont firiMp; a shot; or with- 
ouf anv being fiitHi at I;er, if we excepf (hp frigate's two that feil 
shr!rl, aliout one h.'>;ir and a quarter previous. 

Thi'5 ffentio purrender was attended, nccording^ to the report of the 
ii'itisli s^flk^rrs, with a circumstance equally mean and discfraceful. 
*•• The !ochs of tl:e great sj^uns were l»r()ken ; muskets, pistols, pikes, 
s. words, cS:c. were thrown o\erboard ; together Avith the pendant 
that was struck." ! ! 

The Frolic niountcd, when the two shots were fired at her by tlie 
Orplic'is, ten thirty-two-pounder carronades, and one long eigh- 
teen, of a side ; total 22 guns ; but she, iramediately afterwa-'ds, 
threw o\erboard exactly one haifof her armament. The lonff eiffii- 
teen proved to be aji En;i^Iish ship-gun ; and vyas supposed to have 
hcf^n one cf the Macedonian's, 

^Ve now recollect, it was currently reported oiF New-Lon- 
don, i:i January 1814, that Commodore Decatur, to prepare the 
frig ites United States and Macedonian to meet the Endymion and 
.Stati»'a, in (he event of his challenge being accepted, (as it was in 
piirt.) ImJ substituted eight long thirty -twos for "an equal number 
of j!u; United' States' main-deck mid-shin twenty-fonrs, and shifted 
the latter to the Pdacedonian ; her eighteens being destined for 
distribution amouo- the new slpcpsof war (of wh'ch the Frolic was 
Oiio)t}u'n fitting for sea. 

' The complement of the Frolic consisted of 171 men : all young 
and liealthy ; and scarcely one (if which Cif we except two or three 
of tiie midt^hipnien) were under five feot, eight inches, in height. 
How many scores of commaiidcrsare there in our navy, that, with 
such a sbip,nnd such a ship's company, would have given battle to 
the American frigate Essex ; even had she an armed schooner in 
conr,vany ? 

This fine corvottc was a sister-sliip to the American Peacock, 
the late VVasp(2), ship Argus, &c. and is now tlie Florida in our ser- 
vice. Tier dimensions, both in hull and spars, w ill be found in 
Table 7. 



Thp Rattlesnake bad thrown her guns over -board, wlien chased 
by twotrigates in tl)e IJay of fiiscay. n«r armaiuent was stated to 
\v,\vv i)censix tvventv-foiir-|)'>tuHUM- carrumides, and two long nini"^- 
of a side ; total 16 guns. She had, \v'hen captured, a shi})'s cOin- 



97 

pciny, superior, If possible, to the Frolic's; and In number 131. 
They had all iron skull-caps similar to the crew of the Argus. 

The Sjren was captured after a fair chace of eleven hours ; dii 
ring which, slie threw all her p;uns over-board. Thej consisted of 
two forty-two-pounder, and twelve twenty-four pounder,carrron- 
ades, and two lonp,- nines ; total Ki. It was said, that tlic two 
forty-two-pounder carronades had been taken from the qnarter- 
lieck ol the President frigate, soon after her arrival at New- York, 
■n Februarv 18 1 i. 



»/ 



(Ee) 

These two schooners and another of similar force, had anchored 
close to Fort- Erie, (then in the possessioji of the Americans.) on 
the Canada-lakes, iior the j)urpose of Hanking (he approaches ot tlie 
Uiitish troops. Captain Dobbs. with a detachment of seamen and 
marines, succeeded in getting Jiis gig and tive batteaux, across by 
land from the Niagara-river to Lake- Erie : a distance of eight mi!es. 

Two of the schooners were carried, sword in haiid, in a i\-w min- 
utes ; " and the third," says Captain Dobbs, " would certainly 
have fallen, had the cables not been cut,vvhich made us drill to lee- 
wnrd of her among the rapids." 

Tlie schooners -were commanded by liou'cnants ; mounted t'irec 
long twelves ; ansi had a complement of i>5 men each. VV^e lo^^t a 
heutenantand one seaman killed, and four wounded ; total 0; the 
'Vmericans, one killed and seven wounded ; total 8. 



(Ff) 



Tliese composed Commodore Carney's famous liotjlla, tliat wa55 
to have cleared the Chesapeake of the British ; and, at last, could 
not save itself! A Boston paper of Aug"st SOih, states that it con- 
si-ted of " about S(J gun-boats, besides ten or (iileen barges." — It 
seldom happens that the Amei leans over-rate their force ; we have 
no authority, however, for exceeding the number in ihe tai)le. 

One gun-boat only was <^aptured ; the rest were blown up. Jlost 
■of them carried a heavv lony; g'ui in the bow, and a c.irronade in 
the stern ; and were manned whh from fjrty to sixty men euch. 
The commodore'si sloop was a iuirt large vessel. 



0^ 



These sl:ij)S, tofjetlier with the entire frame of a 74-gun ship, were dRS- 
troycd by the Americans, at th(; city of Washington, to prevent their fall-* 
Jiijj into the hands of the Biitish. 

The Essex was ready to be launched; and had been named the Columbia; 
"outCapt. Vorter's"brilliaMttxploit" otf Valparaiso, occasioned the cnaiiqe. 
The Java and Guerriere were her sister-ships ; and ditfer from the Presi- 
dent, rliictly, in being from "I'l to 24 inches broaderon the beam ; to enable 
lh<>m to carry long tliirty-twos on the main-deck. 

The two next frigates we insert on the authority of two " United States, 
navy-lists ;" one of 1 6th 0;-tober, and the other of the '22d December, 1813. 
\n the former, these ships arc stated to be at " Washington-city refitting ;" 
and in the latter, their names also appear. The close blockade ot the Po- 
towmac, no doubt, prevented the completion of them. The New- York 
cost, says Mr. Clark, "^ 159,639 dollars, and GO cents," or £44,344 6 
sterling; the lio.ston " 1 1 9,570 dollivs" or,f 33,213 17 sterling; and 
both frigates were declared to '" have been constructed upon the most ap^ 
proved models for vessels of their rates."* In 1812, the " probable ex- 
pence of repairing" the " New- York, 36," as well as the Chesapeake, 
was estimated at " 120,000 dollars ;" and of the "J3oston, 32," at " 60, 
poo dollnrs."t~The American prints, when speaking of the loss at Wash- 
ington p-jss over these two vessels thus: " together v/ith several old ships." 
The Argrs Avas " ready forsea." She was a sister-vessel to tlje Frolic. 

We have given the Kssex (2) the same number of guns that the President 
mou'ited ; the New-York, a« the Chesapeake, (including the twelve- 
poiinder-carronade ;) and the Boston as the Essex. "Two hundred pieces 
of artillery of diilerent calibres, as well as a vast quantity of small arms," 
were destioyed by the British troops ; besides the immense q^uautity des- 
troyed brfore they arrived. 

How kind the Americans were to burn the shipping, and public pro- 
perty. The new frigate, the ordinance, timber, &:c. kc. the British could 
jiot have carried awiiy ; and the delay iu destroying them,might have prov= 
cd fattil lo the small band of invaders. 



(Ilh) 

The Adams was a very fine ship, originally a 32-gun frigate ; but, .^ftep 
undergoing various alterations, was reduced to a corvette. She was burnt at 
ilampden,(\vhi(her she had just arrived from acruize,)by the orders of her 
cominand(;r, Capfain Morris, on the approach of a part of (he British troops 
that took possession of Ca^tine. 

Shem<)unt(d twenty ( ight* en-pounder-cohimbiads, (nearly equal to a^ 
}ong-gun,) four long eighteens, and two long twelves ;" total 26 guns. Sh(t 
had a compliment cf 248 ; chiefly masters and mates of merchanl-mt-no 

•N, Hist. VflJ ?. p. 'J28. ^'y^'^i' 



.&« 



TABLE 6. 

Knu.meratiKg the cArTUHrn British and American ships of war, (and 
thnir respective guns-mounteil, ) which each party succCL-ded in getting in" 
(p port ; and whish, as ships of Mar, were not subsequently re-captured. 



BuiTlSII SHIPS. 

No. " Guns. 

1 of 49 guBS 49 

2 5, 33 „ 66 

20 

19 

18 

17 

16 

15 

14 

26 

20 

17 



American ships. 



2 
.5 



5) 

5) 
J) 
5) 
55 
5) 
») 
3J 
55 

1^ 



33 
20 
19 
18 
17 
16 
13 
14 
13 
10 
rom5 
to 1 



} 



19 Total, 



Guns 297 



No. 



1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
3 

O 

1 
1 

23 
36 



of 58 gnns, 

J) ■ 
?? ■ 

33. ' 
35 ■ 

» ' 

53 " 
53. ' 
5) 

^fromQ "7 



3) 
33 
33 
33 
35. 
53 
33 
3» 



58 
49 
46 
22 
30 
16 
14 
12 
10 



l^io 



?5 
55 



i 



Totalj 



Guns, 
... 58 
... 49 
...46 

24 

,...40 

,...48 

...28 

...12 

10 



Guns 383 



TABLE e. 

Shewing the aogrtoate o f the ships of war, tlieir ruNS, men, and 
rroNs-BURTHt'.N, Vvhich have been captured and destroyed, reciprocally, by 
CTreat-Britaia and the United States, since the 18th of June 1812. 



BillTiSII ships.. 
AMERICAN do. 



no. 


GUNS. 


MEN. 


TONS. 


34 

69 
1 . 


578 
735 


3204 
3356 


11,228 

16,823 



1P« 



. 



TABLK 



dimensions of ships' hulls. 






LergUi 



•Ships' Names. 



Cxireme of keel. 



Main I 

j Dcpdi. ,'1'oiis 
Breadth.' f 



TIiValiant. 



64 

44 
S8 

S6 



Africa.. ......... 

Endymion 



GUERIMERE, 



yi'. in. 
177:4 



/"/. 2/,{. fi. in. ft. i>/. I 
142; f)^i' 47: 6i 20:0 ;I7I8 



163:10 132: 9 
163: G !lS2: 3 



158:0 



.2 > 22CYANE. 



Shannon. ....... >'lb3: 8 

Phcebe.. ........ 



146: 3 



• •■••••• 



1:21: 4i 



r^ 



?' 



I 4 
44 
30 



« 18 
^ • 16 



20 Levant. 118: G 

18;Peacock . . . . • e • e B 101 : S 

Epervier B401: 5j 

„ IPenguin .....*. 'BjlOl : 6 

Pelican. B 101: 5 



!29: 7 



44: 9 



18: -I '1415 



42: 7| 12:4 



127/5 



9: Si 12:10 1081 



i2.T: 61 39:11^ 12:11 1066 



119:0 



«.«. ?; 



?8: 



98: 7t 32: Oi 

97: '29 : 10] 

11:5-X SO: 7 



13: 5] I 926 
10: 6\ 539 



13: 3 
12: 9 



462 
3SC) 



77:3V. 30: 6\ 12: 9 3SS 



■r. TO o, 



77: 3 



58:.' 



Landrail . . . .Cut- 

President 177: 4 

Chesapeake. .... .158: 



77: 2-1 



0: 7 I 12: 9; .381] 

383: 

i 

7S| 



30: 7\\ 12: 10 
i 

41:9 IS: 2 I 8: 8 

Uj:31 45:2 19: a;i570[ 

!2S: 6 41:0 1 13: 9'lti<' 






Frolic 122: ! 98: S^i 32: 4 



Wasp . 

(JUX-BOAT Sip. 



i0S:2|S5:I0i 



■0:4 



L lOllAlILEQUIN, Vr. Sc. '105: 8 



61: 11 



30: 10 
18: 7i 



14:4 



MS 



14: 1 436 



J: 2' 



8i:5 ; 2G:10J^:M?- 



112 



323^ 



m 



Dimensions of ships' masts and yards. 



Main-mast. 



iMain-top-mast. 



Main vaid. 



M-topsdil yard 



Leti. 



Diam. 



Len. 



Diam, 



Len. 



Diam. 



Len. 



Diam. 



Refer to 



i 



J 



ft. in 
108: (] 

100: 

94: Q 

92:0 

90:0 
75: 
70:0 



ft. in.\Jt. in 
' 3: |()i: 10 

2: 9|| 57: 

2: 7 68: 10 

55:" 2 



68: 



lOI: 6 
92: G 
75:0 



Si: 






2: 3 
2: 



ft. in. ft. in.\ft. in 
J: 7i\ 9G:8 J; lOi 



J:5|: 86: 10 
l:5i 87:5 



I:4| 



81: G 



54:0 l:4|i 80: 10 



45:0 



1: 9i 42: 



1: 10 



38:11 



2:9| 

2: 6 
o. ]i 



2:0 



62: 

oS: 10 
45: 



1: 11 65:6 



I:0| 



59:6 



hOl 



1: 7 



1:5| 



54:7 



92: 
84: 6 
67:0 



l:9\ 



1:8| 



1:71 

1: 6- 
1:3 

1: 2i 



ft. in. ft. in.\ 
70:6 l:2-|'p. 14.93 



11 



G3: 6 
66:0 

60: £) 

59: 
4/ : / 



1: li|p.93. 
p. 86. 



\:^ 
1: Oi 



p. 12.20. 
25.68. 

p.68.81. 



— :9^p.55. 



42: 10 —: 91 



42j0 



1:8.! 



1: Gl 



1:4 



jFore 
^ 64: O 



69: O 
63:8 
50:0 



ibid. 



^:8] 



l:2\ 

l:2i 

— :11 



o. 17.30. 
4J. 44. 
47. 58 
76. 

p. 45. 

p. 12.20. 
25 55 86 

p. 68. 

p.41.44. 
47.58. 
p. 17. 

p. 45. 

p.42. 



10 

CONCLUSfON". 

Our loss III national vessels by the late war ■vvith the United States, was 
comparatively great ; yet there is some consolation in knowing that, in 
every instance, " the proud old British union," preseived its honbnr 
inviolate. 

Had promised or prudent arrangements been adopted by the proper au- 
thorities on shore, one lake-action "would have been unnecessary ; the 
other, unseasonably hastened as it waff, crowned with success. 'J he pre* 
serration of the two fleets, would have considerably diminished our losses, 
both in number and importance ; and the possession of an American fleetj 
and the command of a Canada-lake, bfen a very small part of the gains 
accruing to us, from a victoty on Lake-Champlain. 

On the ocean, the intrepidity of Britisii seamen led them, as usual,to seek 
combats of the most unequal kind ; while the cautious American, far 
swifter of foot, fought onl J, when he knew the superiority was on his own 
side. Had our ships of war been all ship-rigged, every eighteen-gun ves- 
sel Ave have lost, might have chased in vain, or cruized uamolested by, an 
American ship, inferior in force to a frigate. 

How shall wc convince the unsophisticated reader, that the Americans 
have recorded the actions comprised in Table 1, as gained over, in some 
cases, '' a superior," in the remainder, (except, perhaps, the Alert and Es' 
sex,) " an equal, British force" ; and, on the other hand, that the four ac- 
tions in Table 3, blaze forih amidst the archives at ^Yashing(on, 8S " most 
brilliant defences"; — which would haveended in '"victory, ' had not "ac- 
cident, — artifice,"or. — the "over-whelming superiority" of the enemy,con» 
Tcrted them into defeats ! Such " victories" as the tirst, and such " bril- 
liant defences" as the last, and none others^ have made " Heroes" in the 
new republic, more plentiful, than in the oldest nation of Europe ! 

Unswayed by an empty pomp of words, let all such as are entitled to 
clajitl " the richest inheritance of this earth,— a partieipation in the name, 
character, and freedom of Britons, '"assert and maintain, that no British 
ship has been captured by an Anierican oiir, of equal force ; and that it 
Was not our fault, there were not many repetitions of^ the — CaEiAPEAKE 
Hnd SiiAJJNON. 



I 






